Pentecost 14 (3)

Matthew 16:13–20 (NIV)

Peter Declares That Jesus Is the Messiah

16:13–16pp—Mk 8:27–29; Lk 9:18–20

13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

17 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. 18 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. 19 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.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.

Over 100 years ago a relatively small number of immigrant families in this area decided it would be a good idea to establish a Christian congregation here. A map of the Town of Daye from 1918 shows the location of St. Paul’s Ev. Lutheran Church by having a rude sketch of a church building drawn at our current location. The Town of Green Valley probably has a similar drawing. When the founders of our church started this congregation, I wonder if they thought about its future. Did they imagine that this congregation would last until . . . well, until Jesus returns on the Last Day, I suppose.

I think we are optimistic in hoping that our church or other institutions or places of business would remain long into the future. Is this always true? Marshfield has recently seen the closures of Yonkers, Office Depot, Shopko, and the Marshfield Family Restaurant. Old timers will often talk about how small towns used to have numerous small businesses which no longer exist. Dairy farm barns fall into disrepair, houses are torn down or destroyed by a disaster. History shows that even once powerful countries and empires no longer exist. We may hope that nothing will every change, but the truth is that change can and does happen.

I find it remarkable that even though such things happen, Jesus makes an astounding promise to Peter and the disciples. He is establishing an organization that will remain forever. Even beyond this world. And that it will be so strong that even the strongest forces in creation will not be able to stop it. He calls it the church.

Jesus makes this promise during a very important conversation that he had with his disciples as recorded in Matthew, Mark and Luke.

Matthew 16:13 (NIV): 13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

It is a good question.

I asked “Alexa” who the Son of Man is? She said that Christians believe that the Son of Man is Jesus Christ.

I asked “Alexa” who Jesus Christ is. She said that according to Wikipedia Jesus Christ is the central figure in Christianity and that Christians believe that he is the Son of God and the promised Messiah.

We sing this in the old hymn, Beautiful Savior. “Son of God and Son of Man”

Of course, the disciples could not ask Alexa who the Son of Man is but they knew what others were saying about their leader. So when Jesus asked them, they responded in this way, Matthew 16:14 (NIV): 14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

They knew that many people recognized Jesus as someone very special and that to some degree he was the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecies concerning an important man who would come from God. But these answers fell short of who Jesus really is.

Of course, Jesus (who knows all things) did not have to ask for his own sake but he wanted the disciples to ultimately make the good confession. So he asked them,

Matthew 16:15 (NIV): 15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”

As their spokesman, Peter gives this answer: Matthew 16:16 (NIV): 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

Peter expresses the truth that saves us from our sins. Jesus is the fulfillment of the promises of God made to his people in the Old Testament. When you read the Old Testament of the Bible, there are several themes that are present.

1.It is a history of the Jewish people.

2.It is a revelation of who the true God is and what he does to save his people.

3.It is a covenant between the true God and Israel.

4. It is the promise of how God would send someone special to save his people This person would be anointed to be their prophet, priest, and king.

Those who knew the Old Testament promises, were on the lookout for someone who would fill the bill as it were. Expectations of who this would be and what he would do ran high in Israel at the time of Jesus. Recall that when John the Baptist preached and baptized in the Jordan River, people were asking if he were the Christ. John 1:19–23 (NIV): 19 Now this was John’s testimony when the Jewish leaders in Jerusalem sent priests and Levites to ask him who he was. 20 He did not fail to confess, but confessed freely, “I am not the Messiah.” 21 They asked him, “Then who are you? Are you Elijah?” He said, “I am not.” “Are you the Prophet?” He answered, “No.” 22 Finally they said, “Who are you? Give us an answer to take back to those who sent us. What do you say about yourself?” 23 John replied in the words of Isaiah the prophet, “I am the voice of one calling in the wilderness, ‘Make straight the way for the Lord.’ ”

John pointed to Jesus as the Messiah and when he baptized Jesus, Jesus was anointed with the Holy Spirit. Acts 10:37–43 (NIV): 37 You know what has happened throughout the province of Judea, beginning in Galilee after the baptism that John preached—38 how God anointed Jesus of Nazareth with the Holy Spirit and power, and how he went around doing good and healing all who were under the power of the devil, because God was with him. 39 “We are witnesses of everything he did in the country of the Jews and in Jerusalem. They killed him by hanging him on a cross, 40 but God raised him from the dead on the third day and caused him to be seen. 41 He was not seen by all the people, but by witnesses whom God had already chosen—by us who ate and drank with him after he rose from the dead. 42 He commanded us to preach to the people and to testify that he is the one whom God appointed as judge of the living and the dead. 43 All the prophets testify about him that everyone who believes in him receives forgiveness of sins through his name.”

In this speech to Cornelius, Peter freely confessed what he has told Jesus in our text. Jesus is the Christ.

How did Peter know this? Did he consult theological books? Did he arrive at this from his own wisdom and knowledge? Did he base his answer on popular opinion? Did he ask “Alexa”?

Matthew 16:17–18 (NIV): 17 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.

Luke 10:21–24 (NIV): 21 At that time Jesus, full of joy through the Holy Spirit, said, “I praise you, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, because you have hidden these things from the wise and learned, and revealed them to little children. Yes, Father, for this is what you were pleased to do. 22 “All things have been committed to me by my Father. No one knows who the Son is except the Father, and no one knows who the Father is except the Son and those to whom the Son chooses to reveal him.” 23 Then he turned to his disciples and said privately, “Blessed are the eyes that see what you see. 24 For I tell you that many prophets and kings wanted to see what you see but did not see it, and to hear what you hear but did not hear it.”

Jesus then continues with a statement that has been debated by theologians but which in context seems clear enough.

18 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.

Is “this rock” a reference to Peter and that he would be the head of the Christian church and the church’s leadership would be connected to his successors?

Or is “this rock” a reference to the confession which he made — that Jesus is the Christ? I prefere the latter because it bases the church on Jesus as the foundation. This is not meant to ignore the contributions that the followers of Jesus have made to the church.

Ephesians 2:19–22 (NIV): 19 Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household, 20 built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, with Christ Jesus himself as the chief cornerstone. 21 In him the whole building is joined together and rises to become a holy temple in the Lord. 22 And in him you too are being built together to become a dwelling in which God lives by his Spirit.

Jesus was talking about the future of the church. St. Paul describes what is meant by the church in Ephesians (see above). We confess that we believe in “The Holy Christian Church, the communion of saints.” These are all people everywhere (living and dead) who confess that Jesus is the Christ. It can be organized into visible groups of congregations, churches, dioceses, synods, denominations etc. But even if there is no building (because buildings and congregations can and do cease to exist), Jesus promises that there will always be those who follow him.

Acts 5:34–39 (NIV): 34 But a Pharisee named Gamaliel, a teacher of the law, who was honored by all the people, stood up in the Sanhedrin and ordered that the men be put outside for a little while. 35 Then he addressed the Sanhedrin: “Men of Israel, consider carefully what you intend to do to these men. 36 Some time ago Theudas appeared, claiming to be somebody, and about four hundred men rallied to him. He was killed, all his followers were dispersed, and it all came to nothing. 37 After him, Judas the Galilean appeared in the days of the census and led a band of people in revolt. He too was killed, and all his followers were scattered. 38 Therefore, in the present case I advise you: Leave these men alone! Let them go! For if their purpose or activity is of human origin, it will fail. 39 But if it is from God, you will not be able to stop these men; you will only find yourselves fighting against God.”

Gamaliel was correct. Some estimates number those who claim to be Christian at Two billion.

Jesus was correct. The Word of God continues to be proclaimed, believed, and lived by those who confess him as the Christ

For how long? Even the most stable things of creation and those things built by man will someday cease. But the church will continue even after Jesus returns. The Book of Revelation is a beautiful vision of the church triumphant.

Application. Last summer the great cathedral of Notre Dam in Paris, France was in the news because it was on fire. People watched in horror as this centuries old beautiful house of worship was in danger of being destroyed. The fire was extinguished and the building saved but it will take many years and millions of dollars to restore. Every year we learn of church buildings that are destroyed or congregations that must disband. It brings about a certain amount of sadness and uncertainty. Man made organizations and structures may not last. But the church is not a man made instititution. It is founded by Christ, the Son of God. Just as our God will stand for all eternity, we can trust that our relationship with him through faith in Jesus is secure.

Built on the Rock the Church shall stand.

Even when steeples are falling.

Crumbled have spires in ev’ry land;

Bells still are chiming and calling,

Calling the young and old to rest,

But above all the souls distressed.

Longing for rest everlasting.