Flesh and Blood Has not Revealed it

Introduction:

Prior to His final trip to Jerusalem, Jesus chose the region of Cæsarea Philippi (Banias, Panias) to ask His disciples, “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matt 16:13–19).

Cæsarea Philippi had a very religious significance

Baal worship (14 temples)

Greeks beleived the god of nature (Pan) was born there

Temple to the godhead of Caesar, buit by Herod the Great

With Cæsarea Philippi as a backdrop we have a dramatic picture

Imagine a homeless Galilean carpenter with 12 ordinary men as his posse

With all of the great temples and relics behind Him, He asks, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?"

The College Press NIV Commentary: Matthew I. Confession at Caesarea Philippi (16:13–20)

The disciples evidently had no problem in understanding the designation “Son of Man” as Jesus’ personal reference to himself (cf. Mark 8:27). The usage here reminds the reader of Jesus’ humble earthly service (8:20; 10:23; 12:8, 32; 13:37, 41).

Troublemakers were persuading people to believe that Jesus was an imposter and not the Son of God. It is then that Peter bodly speaks up and says, "You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God!"

Would you have confessed like Peter did?

In front of a potential angry mob?

In the presence of zealous Baal and Caesar worshipers?

But the question should be, "How did Peter know this? Some might say that he knew because the Father revealed it to him, and therefore he had special miraculous powers.

Consider the question, "How did the Father reveal this to him?

The College Press NIV Commentary: Matthew I. Confession at Caesarea Philippi (16:13–20)

However, Peter’s Christological insight should not be construed as a sudden flash of insight, but was fundamentally grounded in his observation of Jesus’ performance in word and deed. As a matter of fact, Jesus’ entire ministry was performatively God’s revelation concerning the mystery associated with his person.

Confessed? Really, would you? Why or why not? What does this say about the power of public opinion? It seems like Peter was very confident with his answer. When Peter denied Christ, did he also deny who Christ was?

Let us consider what Peter had seen that would have made him come to the right conclusion that Jesus is indeed the Son of God.

The claims Jesus made about Himself

Claimed that he came to fulfill the Law and the prophets (Matt. 5:17)

He said that at the judgment people would call Him "Lord" (Matt. 5:22)

Claimed He was the bread which came down from heaven-those who ate it would lieve forever (Jn. 6:51)

Claimed to have existed before Abraham (Jn. 8:58)

Claimed that the temple was His Father's house (Jn. 2:13-16)

Claimed that Isaiah's prophecy about the Messiah had been fulfilled in Himself (Lk. 4:16-21)

Claimed He was Lord of the Sabbath (Mat. 12:1-8):

The Sabbath (Lev. 23:3)

The Passover(Lev 23:4–8)

The feast of first fruits (Lev 23:9–14)

Pentecost (Lev 23:15–22)

The feast of trumpets (Lev 23:23–25)

The Day of Atonement (Lev 23:26–32)

The feast of tabernacles (Lev 23:33–43)

Thes abbatical year (Lev. 25:2-7)

The year of jubilee (Lev 25:8–55)

All of these sabbaths pointed to an eternal rest the Jews would have in the Messiah!

Testimony of John the baptizer (Lk. 3:3-6; Jn. 1:19-34)

The miralces Jesus performed

About 35 miracles are recored among the four gospels

Matthew 4:23-25

Matthew 4:23–25 NASB95

Jesus was going throughout all Galilee, teaching in their synagogues and proclaiming the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every kind of disease and every kind of sickness among the people. The news about Him spread throughout all Syria; and they brought to Him all who were ill, those suffering with various diseases and pains, demoniacs, epileptics, paralytics; and He healed them. Large crowds followed Him from Galilee and the Decapolis and Jerusalem and Judea and from beyond the Jordan.

Mark 1:32-34

Mark 1:32–34 NASB95

When evening came, after the sun had set, they began bringing to Him all who were ill and those who were demon-possessed. And the whole city had gathered at the door. And He healed many who were ill with various diseases, and cast out many demons; and He was not permitting the demons to speak, because they knew who He was.

When Peter confessed he had seen several miracles

Healing of his mother-in-law (Lk. 4:38-42)

The (draught) successful fishing (Lk. 5:1-8)

Forgiveness of sins (Lk. 5:17-26)

Christ's power over nature (Mt. 8:23-27)

When Peter confessed Jesus, He had given the 12 miraculous powers (Mt. 10:1-8)

Conclusion:

It is wonderful that Peter had enough evidence from heaven, revealed from the Father to confess that, "You are the Christ, the Son of God."

In 24 hours surrounding the death of Christ, He had already fulfilled over 100 Old Testament prophecies.

We have more, a lot more than Peter did and should be convinced and willing to confess that, "Christ is indeed the Son of God.

Plan of salvation (Heb. 1:1-2)