4/04/19

Matthew 16:15

¹⁵ He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

The question posed here to the Apostles and maybe others cannot be overstated in importance.  It is one which all humanity must answer.

In vs 16 Peter answers and that is followed by what Christ says to Peter.  Note first what Christ says to Peter.

1.      “Blessed are you”.  This knowledge you have indicates that you are Psalm 1 man. Blessed here and blessed hereafter, blessed in your root and blessed in your fruit.  This is not to be passed over.

2.      “Flesh and blood did not reveal this to you but God did”.  For my part this is the most important part of the context.  The statement is “I am only known by revelation and that not of this world.”  Look at Matthew 11:27.   All things have been handed over to me by my Father, and no one knows the Son except the Father, and no one knows the Father except the Son and anyone to whom the Son chooses to reveal him. This revelation is here said to be a blessing.

3.       “Upon this rock I will build My church”.

A.                What is built?  Christ’s Church.

B.                 Who builds this church?  Christ

C.                 What is its foundation?  This rock.

Let us not concern ourselves with the different theories.  Think like the Apostles.  What is the rock?  They are Old Testament students.  The rock is God.  Isaiah 44:8.

Fear not, nor be afraid;    have I not told you from of old and declared it?    And you are my witnesses! Is there a God besides me?    There is no Rock; I know not any.”

Two things we know.

1.       God must reveal.

2.      God does reveal.

Then we can say the revelation is the rock.  The purpose of God to reveal Christ is our rock.