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| http://www.ccel.org/bible/phillips/JBPhillips.htm |
109. Peter says Jesus is the Messiah: Matthew 16:13-20, Mark 8:27-30, Luke 9:18-20
This event marks a new phase of Jesus' ministry. He withdrew more from Jewish-dominated regions to predominantly Gentile ones to avoid large crowds and Jewish opposition and concentrated more on investing in the disciples who would carry on His work. Caesarea-Philippi (#13 on the map) was ruled by Herod Philip who was a more just ruler than his half-brothers Archelaus and Antipas, and he had no reason to be suspicious like Antipas (see Event 95).
Before He began this more intense investment for the future, He made sure they understood who He was! Peter responded that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah; "the anointed One." The Old Testament made clear that the Messiah was God (Isaiah 9:6; Jeremiah 23:5-6; Micah 5:2). This is an amazing declaration by Peter, and was the green light for Jesus to proceed with His plan!
Peter (Petros, masculine in Greek) was strong like a rock. Jesus said that "on this rock (petra, feminine in Greek) He would build His church. Jesus praised Peter for understanding that He was the Messiah, and He introduced His work of building the church (the first occurrence of this word in the New Testament) with Himself as the foundation (1 Corinthians 3:11). He proceeded to tell the disciples that not even his physical death would prevent the building of the church.
The "keys of the kingdom of heaven" (Revelation 1:18, Revelation 3:7) can be understood as Jesus giving Peter authority like a master would give the key to his treasures to his faithful steward. Peter and the disciples were given the authority to steward and carry on the work of spreading the message of salvation through faith in Jesus Christ.
"Binding and loosing" was a common phrase to the Jews and means "forbidding or permitting." The religious leaders thought they had the "keys" (authority) to forbid and permit, but Jesus gave that authority to the disciples! It would not be according to unreasonable, man-made traditions but according to the will and word of God.
110. Jesus predicts his death the first time: Matthew 16:21-28, Mark 8:31-9:1, Luke 9:21-27
The next section confirms that Peter could NOT be the "rock" of the church that many interpreters believe because he challenged Jesus' prediction of His death and resurrection! Jesus rebuked him for it!
Now that the disciples had an idea of who Jesus was and what would come in the future. He invited them into the life of costly discipleship: denying self, taking up one's cross, and following Him. It was a life of complete devotion!
The end of this section indicates that they would see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom before they tasted death. Since all the disciples died before Christ's return, this is either referring to the transfiguration in the next chapter or Pentecost (Acts 2) where certain disciples were eyewitnesses to Christ's power and glory!
REFLECTION/APPLICATION
Jesus gave his disciples the authority to carry on His work of spreading the message of salvation through Jesus Christ and living in His Kingdom! He has given that to us as well.
The Master Plan of Evangelism by Robert Coleman has
challenged me greatly in this area. It is one of my “Top Five” recommended books
to read! Please do not let the word "evangelism" scare you!
PRAYER
Lord, thank You that You gave authority to carry on Your work in the world. May we be faithful stewards of what You have entrusted to us. Amen.
I should reread The Master Plan of Evangelism and see if I see love it as much as I did when I read it last time (which I think was in 2005).
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