The Rock That Does Not Erode

The Rock That Does Not Erode

August 29, 1999

Matthew 16:13-20

          “Rock solid!”  Great line, if true.  Suppose you were buying property with an awesome panoramic view on the edge of a cliff; or suppose you were moving to an apartment near the San Andreas Fault in California.  How secure would you feel if the real estate agent said the property was “rock solid?”  You might wonder about the wisdom of such a purchase.  You might want some convincing proofs. 

          That is true for our relationship with God too!  As Christians, we claim to believe that we have forgiveness of sin, peace with a holy God, and the certainty of everlasting life in heaven.  But how can we be so sure?  What are the proofs?  The answer is to be found in the solid Rock—Jesus. 

Consider His Reputation: Opinions varied widely about Jesus when he walked among people some 2000 years ago.  Jesus’ disciples must have heard many of them.  So when Jesus asks, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”  They immediately respond with those opinions.  “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” 

          All of those opinions express high regard for the person called the Son of Man.  The same things are said about Jesus today.  Jesus was a godly man; a prophet of God; an excellent example for others to follow.  You know the saying about opinions, though.  “Everybody has one.”  Regardless of how many opinions about Jesus, there is only one opinion that counts; ours!  That is right.  I know it sounds wrong but listen to Jesus’ second question.  “But what about you?” he asked.  “Who do you say I am.” 

          Clearly, Jesus identifies Himself with the “Son of Man”; The New Testament uses the term forty-three times as a distinctive title of the Savior.  In the Old Testament, it is used in Ps. 80:17 and Daniel 7:13 with the context denoting the true humanity of the Messianic King and Lord.  Now consider Peter’s answer to Jesus.  “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  

          Sometimes I ask people, “Who is Jesus?”  I do that to make people think and search their heart for an answer.  You see, if a person knows whom Jesus is truly, it is a good indicator that God is prompting their answer.  That is why Jesus says to Peter, “this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven.”  We are talking about the Spirit of the living God making the God-Man known to a person. 

Consider the Reality: Jesus is “the Christ.”  That title means the anointed one.  In Hebrew, the word is Mashiach, Messiah, anointed.  Only prophets, priests, and kings were to be anointed into their office.  The Messiah was anointed to all three offices of Prophet, Priest, and King.  There is no other like him.  He is Peter’s “Rock.”  A more contemporary figure also realized this truth and penned the words to the hymn “Stricken, Smitten, and Afflicted”; verse four goes like this:

Here we have a firm foundation; Here the refuge of the lost;

Christ, the rock of our salvation, His the name of which we boast.

Lamb of God, for sinners wounded, Sacrifice to cancel guilt!

None shall ever be confounded Who on him their hope have built.

          Now, how did he know that?  How can we know that Jesus is our Rock?  First, the certainty of it has nothing to do with us.  It is a conclusion natural man cannot come to.  It is not revealed by flesh and blood.  Luther spoke of this in the small catechism when he explains the Third Article of the Apostles’ Creed:

I believe that I cannot by my own reason or strength believe in Jesus Christ, my Lord, or come to Him; but the Holy Ghost has called me by the Gospel, enlightened me with His gifts, sanctified and kept me in the true faith.”

          The prophet Isaiah, serving as the mouth of God, says it this way: “No eye has seen, no ear has heard, no mind has conceived what God has prepared for those who love him.”  The apostle, inspired of God to write these words, says, “but God has revealed it to us by His Spirit.”  Finally, speaking about the apostolic message, the apostle John says, “these (WORDS) are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in His name.”  The point is this; a person comes to a true and saving faith by the revelation of God, which the prophetic and apostolic message conveys about Christ.  That is why Paul says, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word of Christ.”  This is how the Spirit of God works faith in your hearts, to know the truth. 

So, we Rejoice!  Our future and the future of the Christian Church remain bright!  Bright because it is built on the Rock—the God-revealed truth of whom Jesus is.  Because God’s truth is not a matter of personal opinion but a matter of revelation, we can be certain that Jesus Christ is the Rock of salvation.  With this revelation, we, like Peter, make the same confession of faith about Jesus: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”  That is a ROCK SOLID confession of faith!  The Rock That Does Not Erode, because it is built on Christ, Himself.  

          Let’s conclude our meditation by standing and singing the hymn, “My Hope Is Built on Nothing Less” LW 368.