Matthew 16:13-20

Who is Jesus?

Barbara Tuchman, a renowned writer of history in the mid-20th century reminded other historians to not ‘flash-forward.’ She insisted that historians write without revealing that they know how the circumstances resolved themselves.

(From Philip Yancey, The Jesus I Never Knew [Grand Rapids, MI.: Zondervan, 1995] 24)

As we look at this important event recorded in Matthew 16, let’s be mindful of at following: The disciples at this time had no idea that Jesus would die. They had no clue that after Jesus’ death He would be raised again. It’s hard for us to read of the events in Jesus’ life without that knowledge. But for today, let’s imagine that we have no idea how Jesus’ life will progress from this incident in Matthew.

Matthew 16:13–20 HCSB

When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.” And He gave the disciples orders to tell no one that He was the Messiah.

Let’s flash backwards a little:

Matthew 13:54–57 (HCSB)

He went to His hometown and began to teach them in their synagogue, so that they were astonished and said, “How did this wisdom and these miracles come to Him? Isn’t this the carpenter’s son? Isn’t His mother called Mary, and His brothers James, Joseph, Simon, and Judas? And His sisters, aren’t they all with us? So where does He get all these things?” And they were offended by Him. But Jesus said to them, “A prophet is not without honor except in his hometown and in his household.”

Matthew 14:1–2 (HCSB)

At that time Herod the tetrarch heard the report about Jesus. “This is John the Baptist!” he told his servants. “He has been raised from the dead, and that’s why supernatural powers are at work in him.”

Matthew 14:22 (HCSB)

Immediately He made the disciples get into the boat and go ahead of Him to the other side, while He dismissed the crowds.

Matthew 15:1–2 (HCSB)

Then Pharisees and scribes came from Jerusalem to Jesus and asked, “Why do Your disciples break the tradition of the elders? For they don’t wash their hands when they eat!”

Matthew 15:12 (HCSB)

Then the disciples came up and told Him, “Do You know that the Pharisees took offense when they heard this statement?”

Matthew 16:1 (HCSB)

The Pharisees and Sadducees approached, and as a test, asked Him to show them a sign from heaven.

Finding a quiet place away from the crowds Jesus asks two questions:

Who Do People Say I Am?

The answers given by those who have been with Jesus through some hair-raising experiences and some circumstances that tested the limits of their faith reveal a sense of the hope of the crowds of others following Jesus.

CONFUSION:

“John the Baptist, raised from the dead”

Herod had said this very thing. People around him were highly influenced by him. More than likely if the leader believes it, then others will accept the leaders point of view.

UNCERTAINTY:

‘Elijah..

We are not the first generation to invest time and resources in trying to determine when and how God will act to bring His story to a conclusion.

Many in Jesus’ day were familiar with this text:

Malachi 4:5–6 (HCSB)

Look, I am going to send you Elijah the prophet before the great and awesome Day of the Lord comes. And he will turn the hearts of fathers to their children and the hearts of children to their fathers. Otherwise, I will come and strike the land with a curse.”

WISHFUL THINKING

“Jeremiah or one of the prophets”

Many of those living in occupied territory were anxious for God to rid them of the Romans. Any prophet would do!

Who Do You Say that I Am?

Cutting through the confusion, uncertainty, and even the wishful thinking, Jesus looks at those with whom He has spent the most time. What have they discovered?

Peter, speaking on behalf of the group:

Matthew 16:16 HCSB

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

Peter’s answer is not one arrived at by consensus. Nor did he and the other disciples come to this conclusion by some sort of reasoning.

THE ROLE OF REVELATION

Jesus gets at the heart of the challenge:

Matthew 16:17 HCSB

And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven.

Spiritual truth is a received truth. Most of us have been frustrated as we have shared the good news of the Gospel by people who more or less ignore our news.

Because our lives have been radically shaped by the revelation of God’s truth as we come to Jesus we are astounded that others can’t see what we can so clearly see.

It’s not a failure to communicate. Like Peter, we can only come to the truth of who Jesus is as God makes Himself real to us.

THE FUNCTION OF REVELATION

In Matthew 16:18: Jesus makes clear two powerful tasks of revelation:

Matthew 16:18 HCSB

And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it.

First, it is through revelation that all come into the Kingdom of God. We are not ‘born’ or ‘baptized’ into God’s Kingdom.

Jesus describes this ‘revelation’ to Nicodemus as ‘being born again (Jn 3:1-18)

The new birth is a a spiritual activity, the act of God making our need of a Savior and His provision of that Savior so real that we, like Peter, accept and confess Jesus.

Second, because of the spiritual nature of the kingdom of God we can know with certainty that God’s purposes will prevail.

The way the demons reacted to Jesus, the way the early apostles confronted those afflicted with demon possession is a potent reminder that God cannot and will not fail.

KEYS: BINDING AND LOOSING

We don’t have time this morning to do this justice, but let me offer the following as a brief overview.

One writer comments on vs 19:

“Keys” opened locked doors or gates, but the carrying of such keys especially symbolized the bearer’s authority

Keener, C. S. (2009). The Gospel of Matthew: A Socio-Rhetorical Commentary (p. 429). Grand Rapids, MI; Cambridge, U.K.: Wm. B. Eerdmans Publishing Co.

Jesus anticipated that Peter, and all who receive this revelation from God, will exercise spiritual authority. Part of this responsibility is to protect the revelation. No, that doesn’t mean we are authorized to change it. Rather it means we have a significant task in insuring that the good news of Jesus is proclaimed accurately and truthfully.

In part that means we need to carefully evaluate the ideas and practices we are so quick to ‘add’ to entry into the Kingdom.

We do not have the authority to redefine what the gospel means. We do not have the right to distort the gospel.

WRAPPING UP

In Matthew’s telling of Jesus story this passage is the mid-point. Everything in the first 15 chapters leads to this critical point. Everything that happens from this chapter forward is because of Peter’s confession of faith.

As a group of people who invite others to follow Jesus let me suggest we’d best know who we are inviting people to follow!

The crowds surrounding Jesus were uncertain about His identity. Some of the them were confused, and some projected their own wishful thinking on Him.

Pete’r’s confession, the result of God’s revelation tells us

Jesus is the MESSIAH, THE CHRIST

The word ‘messiah’ is Hebrew, The word ‘Christ’ is the way first scholars in the first century translated the Hebrew into Greek.

MESSIAH/CHRIST is a word that identifies one who has been set apart, or anointed for a specific purpose.

The OT points to God’s Messiah - the anointed One whom God will use to make Himself known. The NT is the record of God’s revelation of His presence in and through His anointed One, Jesus the son of Joseph.

The Son of the Living God

God, who is making Himself real in and through Jesus, is a living, active, personal God. He is not hiding. He is not absently distant from the creation. He is alive, vibrant, and constantly engaged in the world He has made.

As the Son, Jesus bears the likeness and image of His Father. John, a companion of Peter, one who responded to Jesus’ call early in Jesus’ active ministry wrote these words:

“No one has ever seen God. The One and Only Son — the One who is at the Father’s side — He has revealed Him.” (John 1:18, HCSB)

You may be listening - here or online - and you are confused about the identity of Jesus.

Maybe you are just uncertain. How can a man who lived 2,000 years ago truly speak to my life?

Perhaps you think that we followers of Jesus are simply projecting our wishes on this man from Palestine. Perhaps you think we are a little off, maybe even deranged.

Confusion

Uncertainty

Wishful Thinking

These are perfectly normal ways of making sense of what we read in these books we call ‘gospels.’

Today your confusion, uncertainty, and even wishful thinking can be cleared.

It’s worth noting that Peter and the others Jesus had called had been following for some time - maybe as long as 18 months.

Some believe that saying a ‘prayer’ will revolutionize your life. Others insist that following a specific set of disciplines and practices will set you free.

Let me offer you an alternative:

Listen for the voice of God - He is present, He is speaking. There will be distractions that seek to fill your thoughts. Try to still them and just listen:

God is calling people - just as He has always done - will you receive what He is saying:

God rules -

We have sinned -

from the beginning of recorded history people like you and me have chosen to disobey

God provides -

here is a remedy for our disobedience. The penalty God decreed was death.

Jesus Gives -fully obeying His Father even to the point of dying to pay the penalty of our sin

We can respond:

Admit we are a sinner

Believe that Jesus is God’s Son, the One whose death is sufficient and who having been raised to new life can empower us to share in that new life

Confess Him - j

ust as Peter did- here, in your living room or wherever you are listening and watching.

IF you respond, please let me know - I promise to not embarrass you, but I’d like to help you take the next steps...