“Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’”
- Matthew 16:17-19 -

Jesus is the Son of Man, the Messiah, and the Son of the living God. He is the one to whom is given the everlasting kingdom and power and glory. He put people in touch with God, he showed people what God is like and he exercised God’s rule over his people while also being the Servant of the Lord.

How did Peter recognize all this? Not through human insight. Only God in his grace can reveal God, and he had done so for Peter. God’s grace alone is what shows people who Jesus is and what he has done. No one’s cleverness can deduce this. God alone gives this insight.

So, the mission of the church is established. Peter and the other apostles would be the first to go and preach the good news that God was establishing a new community of his people from all over the world: a faithful people who would be in continuity with the Old Testament covenant community, yet new in the sense that Jesus designated it ‘My community’ (see v 18). Even when death itself assaulted this community, it would not crush it. The church will endure until Christ’s return. No opposition, even persecution and martyrdom, will prevent the ultimate triumph of God’s purposes.

Prayer: Lord, give me a fresh vision of the wonder of Jesus, his power and grace. Encourage me to embrace his indestructible purposes.

* Today, we see all kinds of community. Some communities go directly opposite from the truth of the Bible that that leads to the path of destruction and eternal condemnation. Thus, it is our task to share the good news of Jesus that He died and gave us forgiveness and eternal life. Hallelujah!