When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, “Who do men say that I the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. . . ” Matthew 16: 13-17, NKJV.
Heavenly Father, thank You so much for opening our eyes to behold spiritual things. Help us to rejoice in this reality. In the blessed name of Jesus Christ we pray. Amen.
There is a blessing in knowing for ourselves, who Jesus is. Although Jesus asked His disciples who others thought He was, the pronouncing of the blessing came only when Peter declared who Jesus was. Note also that Jesus made it very clear that, that knowledge was not the result of human origin, but divine.
It is of the greatest importance that we get to know Jesus for ourselves; for it is the only way to eternal life. Jesus Himself said “And this is eternal life that they may know You, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent” (John 3: 17). How else can we be saved? If Jesus is the Way, the Truth, and the Life, and the only way to the Father, then, the only way to life eternal, is through a personal knowledge of the Savior!
But observe that it is not merely knowing about Him. Jesus waited until His disciples had expressed the opinion of others about Him, before asking them for their opinion. It is also very interesting that only Peter responded. Could it be that the others did not really know who Jesus was? The truth is, not even Peter, of himself, knew who Jesus really was! That should not be a surprise to us! Listen to the words of the two disciples on their way to Emmaus: “But we were hoping that it was He who was going to redeem Israel” (Luke 24: 21a). Even though it was the “third day since these things happened” they were not aware that the person that they had walked and talked with for three and a half years, was indeed the Christ, and had risen on the third day “according to the Scriptures” (27).
How well do you know Jesus? It might be the difference between disilusion and joy (40) Between life and death! Grace has made provision for us to get to know Him. Let us take advantage of this opportunity!