The Messiah and His Work

Background: Jesus’ Travels

In our last sermon on the life of Christ, we reviewed the miracle of Jesus casting out a demon from a Syro-Phoenician woman’s daughter. This took place in the region of Tyre, a predominantly Gentile area. This sparked a short series of movements and events in which Jesus focused His teaching and miracle working on the gentile populace.

Jesus traveled further North through the area of Sidon, and then down to the south-eastern area of the Sea of Galilee, the area known as the Decapolis. This is the same area where Jesus healed two demon possessed men, one of whom was possessed by a legion, and where the legion of demons filled a nearby herd of swine, ultimately drowning them in the sea. Jesus probably didn’t spend more than 12 hours there on that occasion.

While in this area, crowds flocked to Jesus. We read of Jesus healing a man who was deaf and mute (), teaching and healing many (), and finally Jesus miraculously feeding a crowd of 4,000 (; ).

After this time in Gentile territory, Jesus crossed the Sea of Galilee with His disciples to the western shore, a place called Magadan and Dalmanutha. It is unknown where these locations are exactly, but some believe it to be close to the city of Magdala. In this place, Jesus is confronted by both Pharisees and Sadduccees who request a sign from heaven, which Jesus refuses.

Jesus departs again, sailing with the disciples over the Sea to the northern shore. During the trip He warns the disciples of the “leaven of the Pharisees and Sadduccees.” (; ).

Once on the northern shore, Jesus heals a blind man near Bethsaida. This is a unique miracle, because it is a “2-step” miracle (). From here, Jesus travels almost 25 miles north to Caesarea Philippi.

Peter’s Confession (6; ; )

The crowds: Jesus possesses the spirit of one of the powerful Old Testament prophets. While complimentary, this belief is simply not enough.

Who do you say that I am? This is the real point of the conversation. The first question is to get the disciples thinking about the topic. The second question is what Jesus is primarily interested in. Had they learned after more than 2 years with Jesus who He really was?

The following discourse - Peter’s confession and Jesus’ response - are saturated with Messianic expectation and language. Even the timing of the conversation is important. It takes place after Jesus has preached to and performed signs in the midst of both the Jews and the Gentiles. The words and phrases in this discourse are not empty rhetoric or mere titles, they approach the truest heart of the matter: is Jesus the answer that God has promised? As John the baptist asked, “Are you the one who is to come, or shall we look for another?” Peter’s confession is not merely a formula, it is the heart and soul of his belief, that, yes, Jesus is the one who is to come! Jesus’ response then affirms that truth and validates Peter’s confession.

Peter’s Confession: Peter is the one who speaks, but he likely the spokesman for the group. The other disciples believe this same truth.

“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God”

“Christ” is the Greek Equivalent of Hebrew “Messiah.”

Anointed One: Prophet, Priest and King. All of these offices are in view for the Messiah, but “king” is especially prominent. Messianic expectation was heavily focused on God’s promise to David in , and fleshed out through other prophecies. Let us briefly look at and then Isaiah 9

2 Samuel 12:12–16 ESV

12 For you did it secretly, but I will do this thing before all Israel and before the sun.’ ” 13 David said to Nathan, “I have sinned against the Lord.” And Nathan said to David, “The Lord also has put away your sin; you shall not die. 14 Nevertheless, because by this deed you have utterly scorned the Lord, the child who is born to you shall die.” 15 Then Nathan went to his house. And the Lord afflicted the child that Uriah’s wife bore to David, and he became sick. 16 David therefore sought God on behalf of the child. And David fasted and went in and lay all night on the ground.

2 Samuel 7:12–16 ESV

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men, 15 but my steadfast love will not depart from him, as I took it from Saul, whom I put away from before you. 16 And your house and your kingdom shall be made sure forever before me. Your throne shall be established forever.’ ”

Isaiah 9:

Isaiah 9:6-

Isaiah 9:6–7 ESV

6 For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace. 7 Of the increase of his government and of peace there will be no end, on the throne of David and over his kingdom, to establish it and to uphold it with justice and with righteousness from this time forth and forevermore. The zeal of the Lord of hosts will do this.

“I will raise up one after you…and I will establish his kingdom.” ()

“He shall build a house for my name

The Messiah was the one who would be “God’s anointed” - the heir to David’s throne, and the king that would rescue and restore God’s people. The anointed one was the One who would deliver God’s people.

2 Samuel 7:12–14 ESV

12 When your days are fulfilled and you lie down with your fathers, I will raise up your offspring after you, who shall come from your body, and I will establish his kingdom. 13 He shall build a house for my name, and I will establish the throne of his kingdom forever. 14 I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son. When he commits iniquity, I will discipline him with the rod of men, with the stripes of the sons of men,

The Messiah was the one who would be “God’s anointed” - the heir to David’s throne, and the king that would rescue and restore God’s people. The anointed one was the One who would deliver God’s people.

The Messiah was the Son who would be “God’s anointed” - the heir to David’s throne, and the king that would rescue and restore God’s people. The anointed one was the One who would deliver God’s people, establishing an everlasting kingdom.

“I will be to him a father, and he shall be to me a son” (v. 14)

Peter’s confession emphasizes Jesus as the Son of the living God. This title is used of God throughout the Old Testament. It is used to invoke awe, separate God as the only true God (since He is living and idols are not), and especially in a sense that God delivers His people.

It is the living God that will drive out the Canaanites ()

David was appalled that Goliath went unchallenged for defying the armies of “the living God” and was confident He would overcome Goliath because of the living God.

Isaiah reassured king Hezekiah that even though the messenger of the king of Assyria had mocked the living God, Assyria would not overcome Jerusalem.

When Darius came to check on Daniel the morning after throwing him in the lion’s den, he recognized Daniel as the servant of the living God, and decreed his people should “tremble and fear before the God of Daniel, for he is the living God, enduring forever; his kingdom shall never be destroyed, and his dominion shall be to the end.” (Dan. 6:26)

Jesus, as the Son of the living God, is the ultimate method of God’s deliverance. Where deliverance in the Old Testament came by the living God intervening for Israel, true and eternal deliverance in the New Testament is accomplished because God becomes flesh, lives among us, dies for us, and rises again.

Peter did not yet understand the necessity of Jesus’ death and resurrection, but he did recognize Jesus was the promised Messiah, the promised means of deliverance to God’s people. There was no other who could offer deliverance or salvation, which Peter had recognized even prior to this:

John 6:68–69 ESV

68 Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, 69 and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.”

We do not have to come from a Jewish background that expects a Messiah to be able to understand and lovingly appreciate Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God. 21st century Americans, as well as Muslims, Hindus, Buddhists, and all other people who have no notion of a Jewish Messiah can learn that there is one God, and Jesus is the only way to Him. Jesus is the only way our sins can be forgive, and the only means by which we can be delivered from hell, and the only one who can offer us Heaven.

Confessing Jesus as the Christ and the Son of God is not rhetoric, and it is not a magical formula. The words can be repeated, but is it what we believe? Do we truly believe we need saving? Do we believe the only way to be saved is through Jesus? Do we believe His shed bled is the only way to be forgive, and His resurrection is the proof that He is the Son of God?

Jesus’ Response ()

Even though other confessions had been made, this is the first time one receives a blessing from Jesus like this. At this point Peter (and the other disciples) are truly convinced that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God. They are fully dedicated to Him and His mission.

“Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you...”

A few comments about Jesus’ Response:

Many look at this statement as saying that God specifically revealed this truth to Peter through inspiration. While possible, that doesn’t seem to fit best.

“On this rock I will build my church....”

Jesus has asked what they believed. This isn’t a matter of direct revelation; it’s a question about the conclusion they’ve made.

What is the rock? It is either the truth of Peter’s confession, or Peter as a representative of the apostles.

says that the household of God is built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus being the Chief cornerstone. Perhaps this is what Jesus is alluding to in ?

The other option is that either Peter’s confession or the truth of Peter’s confession is the rock Jesus mentions. This simply means the truth that Jesus is the Messiah is the bedrock foundation upon which Jesus’ church will be built. After all, if Jesus is not the Christ, the Son of the Living God, then His church or kingdom cannot be the everlasting kingdom.

Jesus is the builder and owner of the Church, and there is only one church.

Jesus speaks in the future tense. He had not already built His church. While he had followers, they were not organized as “His church” yet, and would not be until some time in the future.

“The gates of hell shall not prevail against it...”

This should signal Jesus is speaking of a Spiritual kingdom. The enemy is not Rome or any other geopolitical power; the enemy to Christ’s kingdom is death and hell. But even this enemy will be unsuccessful.

“I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven...”

Much could be said about this phrase and what it does not mean, but we will focus on simply what it does mean.

Peter would certainly play a unique role in the establishment of the church, but not in a way that put him above the other apostles.

[Peter’s] primacy is chronological, not hierarchical.” - Mark Moore, The Chronological Life of Christ, pg. 305

Peter was the first to preach the gospel to the Jews () and the Gentiles (). Peter used the “keys of the kingdom” through the preaching of the gospel. Clearly, the other apostles also used these “keys” but it was Peter’s privilege to be the first to do so both to the Jews and Gentiles.

Jesus’ response is not just an enigmatic statement about His future Church and a reward for Peter. This response is a full-blown affirmation of the truth of Peter’s confession. Like the terms Peter used, Jesus’ response is couched in Old Testament, Messianic language. Particularly, Jesus’ words hearken back to .

is a prayer based on God’s promise to David in .

Begins with a section of praise to God (vv. 1-18)

Then it poetically recalls God’s covenant with David from (vv. 19-37)

Then the psalmist essentially asks when will God fulfill His covenant promise? (vv. 38-52)

Apparently written during a time when the Davidic line was threatened, likely after the destruction of Jerusalem and deportation to Babylon. God’s promise seems in jeopardy. How will this be rectified?

Jesus is the answer to the Psalmist of ’s prayer. God’s covenant promise to David would be fulfilled, but not through a son of David returning to the literal throne of Israel. The promise would be fulfilled in Jesus, a son of David but also the true Son of God, and through the establishment of His eternal kingdom.

Notice some of the similar language between and Jesus’ response:

“build” - v. 4

“assembly” - v. 5

“foundation” - v. 14

“Anointed” - v. 20, 38, 51

“Rock” - v. 26

“Power of Sheol” - v. 48

Peter has confessed Jesus is the promised Messiah, the only way of deliverance. Jesus affirms that yes, He is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He is the answer to Israel’s prayers; He is the answer to the problem of sin.

The Messiah’s Work (; ; )

The disciples had come to know the truth of who Jesus was. It was time for them to begin learning the truth of His mission.

Jesus had alluded to His death on other occasions, but this was the clearest He had spoken about it. Mark says Jesus “said this plainly.”

Jesus shows them His suffering, rejection, and death must take place.

Jesus’ crucifixion was not an accident or afterthought because the Jews rejected Him unexpectedly. Jesus’ crucifixion was God’s plan. Jesus’ suffering, rejection, and death had been foretold (; ), and it was necessary for Jesus to build the church He had just mentioned. It was necessary if He were to deliver people from their sins.

Jesus also explained he would be raised after three days, but the disciples apparently miss this point. One, they are befuddled by the idea that Jesus says He will die soon. This is so shocking, perhaps they don’t grasp His promised Resurrection. Second, they likely are simply lost and confused - talk of resurrection is strange talk!

Sometimes we cause undue stress and problems simply because we do not listen to Jesus. Jesus had told the disciples He would be killed, but that He would rise again. Yet when He was crucified, the disciples were devastated and thought all was lost. They did not spend three days in joyous anticipation of His resurrection - they cowered in fear and despair. Had they only listened closer and believed, they would have been expecting the result that played out before their eyes!

Peter tries to take Jesus aside, and their rebukes the Lord. Peter’s heart is in the right place - he can’t imagine losing the Lord, and refuses to accept the Christ, the Son of the Living God will be killed by men!

Jesus rebukes Peter sharply:

“Get behind Me...” - step aside, move out of my way, take your rightful place of following me

“Satan...” - means adversary. Peter was acting against the Lord in this matter. Satan Himself had tempted Jesus to short-circuit the path to Kingship, and Peter’s words were essentially the same temptation.

“You are a hindrance to me...”

Peter was just blessed for a wondrous confession. That confession had been made based upon spiritual truths. This most recent comment was saturated in physical, temporal thinking. His mind was on the things of man, not the things of God.

Even good, spiritual, well-intentioned people can be a hindrance to the Lord’s work when their sights are on physical things, not spiritual things.

Colossians 3:2 ESV

2 Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.

Conclusion

Jesus had spent two years preaching and performing signs. The evidence was clear for those that would accept it. The Jewish leaders despised Him because He threatened their position and power. Many of the crowds were simply enamored by His miracles, and simply wanted physical healing, food, and a nice show for entertainment. The time had come for the disciples to decide what they believed. Peter confessed what he believed and had come to know - Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the Living God. Jesus was the only hope Peter and the apostles had, and they recognized that.

The question for us, is what do we believe about Jesus? The world has its opinions, but what do you believe about Jesus? Do you believe He is God’s promised Messiah? Do you recognize Jesus is the Word made Flesh, God incarnate who lived a sinless life and became the sacrifice for your sins? Do you believe that His blood was shed so that your sins could be forgiven? Do you believe that He has established His church, His everlasting kingdom? If so, wouldn’t you like to be washed of your sins? Wouldn’t you like to be added to the Lord’s Church, His eternal kingdom that will never fail? You can be! Repent of your sins, confess what you believe, and be baptized in the name of Christ for the remission of your sins, and you can be saved!

If you have obeyed, then keep your eyes on things above, not the things below. Don’t hinder the Lord’s work by being attached to this world and its pleasures. Follow the Lord with all your heart, mind, soul, and strength, and live like the citizen of Heaven you are and are called to be!