Matthew 16:16-20
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
In our last passage we considered two questions Jesus asked his disciples. Today we begin with Peter’s faith-filled answer and then move on to explore Jesus’ response. Read Matthew 16:16-20.
Faith isn’t something we can conjure up on our own – it’s a gift from God. There are ways we can open ourselves up to receive the gift and grow in our faith, but ultimately our ability to trust Jesus is pure grace.
Peter’s answer to the question, “But who do you say that I am?” has the ring of prophecy – speaking forth the words of God – and his clarity in this moment reflects the in-breaking of the Kingdom of God into human time.
Before you go on, take a moment to get still and centered. Picture yourself before Jesus with your arms filled with everything you are trying to accomplish today. Then lay these plans one-by-one at Jesus’ feet as you express your total dependence on him. You might say something like: “Jesus, here is my plan…” “I recognize that I can do nothing of eternal value without you.”
Read Matthew 16:16-20 again imagining what Peter and the other disciples might be thinking or feeling as Jesus speaks.
This passage has been used by many throughout the centuries to form the basis of how the institutional church is structured, but for our purposes, let’s look at the implications for all Jesus followers. We’ve already seen that Peter’s confession of Jesus as Messiah was truth that God provided to Peter, and it is this statement of faith that Peter continued to view as the foundation for the community that would gather to follow Jesus from that moment on.
It is upon the confession of Peter that Jesus promises to build his “church,” or in the Greek, “ekklésia.” These are the “called out” people who will represent Jesus on earth fulfilling God’s call to Abraham to be a blessing to all the families of the earth, and no plan, deception, or strategy will be able to stop these followers of Jesus as they multiply his mission of restoration in the world.
Contemplate these words written by Peter many years after his confession of Jesus as Messiah:
“You are coming to Christ, who is the living cornerstone of God’s temple. He was rejected by people, but he was chosen by God for great honor. And you are living stones that God is building into his spiritual temple…” - 1 Peter 2:4-5
Then return to silence and listen to Jesus.
What might Jesus want you to remember or do as a result of your time in this passage?
How do you plan to follow through?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
