Matthew 16:13–28

Centered on Jesus the Christ
Matthew 16:13–28
This week marks the beginning of a new unit, one which explores the true nature of the local church. Jesus’ church is not a social club, though we certainly enjoy fellowship. It is not an organization, although we have structure. We are not a religious institution per se, but we focus upon a relationship to Jesus of Nazareth, the One called the Christ.

The Christ’s Identity (13–17)
“Who do men say that I am?” Jesus’ inquiry gave the disciples an opportunity to talk about how Jesus was perceived by others inside and outside this band of followers. Throughout the course of church history, orthodox theologians have defended the identity of Jesus from the heresies of men who denied His deity, His humanity, His agony and/or His reality. Even today, people of every walk of life listen to the same tired arguments against Jesus, and the church is largely ignorant to know how to respond to such heresy. The disciples knew what people were saying.

“Who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter hit this one out of the park. “You are the anointed one, the Son of the Living God.” But how did this burly fisherman from the north country (Galilee) with no formal education deduce this when the religious leaders had difficulty identifying Him? Jesus explained that Peter’s reason for knowing was personal revelation. While God revealed His creative hand through creation to Jews and Gentiles alike and Scripture to the Hebrew people, God personally revealed to Peter that Jesus is the Christ.

The Christ’s Church (18–20)
Among the Gospel writers, Matthew alone recorded Jesus using the term “church” during His earthly ministry. This term for a public assembly is used here in verse 18 and then later employed twice in Matthew 18:17 regarding church discipline. Etymologically the word “ekklesia” has been traced to ex and kaleo (“out” and “to call”), therefore rendering the assembled group as the “called out ones.”

Jesus renamed Simon (who was likely named for Simeon, one of the sons of Jacob) so that his name in Greek was Peter — actually petros. John recorded the Aramaic form of the same name, Cephas (John 1:42). Next Jesus said that upon that rock (petra), He would build His church. Peter’s declaration that Jesus was the Christ was the church’s foundation. Hades’ gates would be no match for the power of God in those gathered in the name of Jesus the Christ.

The Christ’s Cross (21–23)
As Jesus explained the upcoming passion He would experience, He told the disciples of the plans to leave the coastlands of Caesarea Philippi and go to Jerusalem. The religious leaders were anticipating His arrival, and He was going to die. Prophecy was going to be fulfilled, including His resurrection from the dead. Peter, fresh from his renaming, showed what a strong figure he could be. He was not about to allow anything to happen to Jesus. But Peter’s fortitude was contrary to the plan of God; death was part of God’s agenda. Jesus rebuked Peter, because he was more concerned for the plans of man than the priorities of God. “Get behind me, Satan.” Oh, that churches today would be more concerned for the glory of God.

The Christian’s Cross (24–28)
Jesus faced crucifixion first. Later Peter was crucified inverted. His brother Andrew was placed on a cross spread-eagled (hence the St. Andrew’s cross, as on the flags of Alabama and Scotland). All of Jesus’ disciples would face a martyr’s death except John, who was boiled alive yet survived. He saw the vision of the revelation of Jesus while living his last days on the island of Patmos.

Deny self, embrace death to self and follow Jesus — these are the qualifications for a disciple of Jesus. Does this sound like the churches of the 21st century? When was the last time we denied ourselves anything? When was the last time we asked the question: “What’s in it for the kingdom of God?” What will it take for us to understand the meaning of “Follow Me”?