On This Rock
“How we treat people reflects our love for Jesus or confirms our ties to this world.”
Matthew 16: 13-18 (NLT)
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Reflection
Peter’s transformation from a proud and impetuous fisherman to a leader of disciples didn’t happen overnight. Thankfully, God is never in a hurry. We should be encouraged that even when Peter was as unrefined as a field of sugar cane, Jesus patiently molded him into a solid believer who led multitudes to his Savior.
“Upon this rock” (verse 18). Using a play on words, Jesus declared that His church will be founded on the truth of Peter’s confession. Jesus is the Messiah and the only gateway to eternal life. Conversely, Jesus says that hell, the gateway to death, will never be victorious over His church.
“Who do you say I am?” (verse 15). How we live reveals who we believe Jesus Christ is. Specifically, how we treat people reflects our love for Jesus or confirms our ties to this world. Acts 10 reveals a turning point when Peter understands that his view of people outside the Jewish faith must change. Our behavior should line up with the call of Colossians 3:12 (NLT) to clothe ourselves with “mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (verse 13). We often see God depicted as being hateful toward certain people or being so lenient that no one is ever judged. While neither view is correct, the command we do have from Jesus is to love everyone the same way He loves us (John 13: 34-35). At times we will fail, but if we, like Peter, remain loyal to Jesus, it will become our nature to live out the words of this Divinely refined fisher of men.
Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. - 1 Peter 2:12 (NLT)
Action Step
Read Acts 10. Think of a defining moment when God revealed to you something that permanently changed your perspective on His love for mankind.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for being patient with me as I learn to see people the way You see people. Use me any way You can to advance Your kingdom and build up Your body, the church. Amen.
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. 18 Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it.
Reflection
Peter’s transformation from a proud and impetuous fisherman to a leader of disciples didn’t happen overnight. Thankfully, God is never in a hurry. We should be encouraged that even when Peter was as unrefined as a field of sugar cane, Jesus patiently molded him into a solid believer who led multitudes to his Savior.
“Upon this rock” (verse 18). Using a play on words, Jesus declared that His church will be founded on the truth of Peter’s confession. Jesus is the Messiah and the only gateway to eternal life. Conversely, Jesus says that hell, the gateway to death, will never be victorious over His church.
“Who do you say I am?” (verse 15). How we live reveals who we believe Jesus Christ is. Specifically, how we treat people reflects our love for Jesus or confirms our ties to this world. Acts 10 reveals a turning point when Peter understands that his view of people outside the Jewish faith must change. Our behavior should line up with the call of Colossians 3:12 (NLT) to clothe ourselves with “mercy, kindness, humility, gentleness, and patience.”
“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” (verse 13). We often see God depicted as being hateful toward certain people or being so lenient that no one is ever judged. While neither view is correct, the command we do have from Jesus is to love everyone the same way He loves us (John 13: 34-35). At times we will fail, but if we, like Peter, remain loyal to Jesus, it will become our nature to live out the words of this Divinely refined fisher of men.
Be careful to live properly among your unbelieving neighbors. Then even if they accuse you of doing wrong, they will see your honorable behavior, and they will give honor to God when he judges the world. - 1 Peter 2:12 (NLT)
Action Step
Read Acts 10. Think of a defining moment when God revealed to you something that permanently changed your perspective on His love for mankind.
Prayer
Jesus, thank You for being patient with me as I learn to see people the way You see people. Use me any way You can to advance Your kingdom and build up Your body, the church. Amen.
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