relationships (Matthew 16:13-28) Knowing the Key

(Matthew 16:13-28)

13 Now when Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” 14 And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets.” 15 He said to them, “But who do you yourselves say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; and whatever you bind on earth shall have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall have been loosed in heaven.” 20 Then He gave the disciples strict orders that they were to tell no one that He was the Christ.

21 From that time Jesus began to point out to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised up on the third day. 22 And yet Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You!” 23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.”

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds.

28 “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

TODAY'S TAKEAWAY:

Our relationship with God begins with us realizing that Jesus wasn't and isn't just a man who had been sent as a prophet, or a teacher, or just some really good guy.  Jesus is the Lord.  Jesus is God!  As part of the three in one (Trinity), Jesus is the Son of God.  He is also called the Christ (Messiah).

Israel had received prophecies about how their Messiah would one day come to fulfill all of their covenants (where they would receive all of their promised land, seed and blessings).  Had they as a nation personally received Jesus as their Lord and Savior, as well as their rightful King, they would have gone straight into the Millennial kingdom.  But of course they rejected Jesus and sent Him to the cross to suffer and die.

Jesus' work on the cross was also prophesied, because He knew this would happen and knew that this HAD to happen, in order to fulfill the first part of their covenants.  Within the Abrahamic covenant (Genesis 12:1-3), God promises that through Abraham's seed (descendants - JESUS) all nations will be blessed!  This is why all the recorded genealogizes and the virgin birth are good to know and understand.  

In order for Israel to have their promised land and physical covenants in full, they have to have a righteous King who will lead them in perfect obedience!  This will happen at the end of the Tribulation, which is the last set of seven years remaining in their prophesied Jewish years (Daniel 9:24-27).  

Just so, for anyone to to get into heaven and have eternal life, we must receive Jesus as our Lord, Savior and make Him King of our lives.  In His salvation, all our sins are forgiven, and we are covered by the righteousness of Jesus, and we receive His indwelling Holy Spirit of promise, who is then forever with us, to guide, help, and change us from the inside out.

THIS is the "key"!  Peter was the first disciple to confess this.  Although, Peter got way ahead of himself and allowed pride back into the picture, thinking that he could tell Jesus what should or shouldn't be done!  Peter had just confessed that Jesus is God, and then he heard Jesus explain what He had to do... and... so.... now Peter thought he would stop God from doing what He just said He was going to do!!!???

Yes-yes, we can try to justify these things and say that Peter meant well.  I love what one of my professors once said, "People can be very sincere, but they can be very sincerely wrong!"  BUT...

GOD is so awesome!  He died for our sins, because we ourselves have nothing of value to save our souls.  He paid the price!  And while we will still struggle, He still calls us and uses us, even though we ourselves have nothing of value to offer!  We are to live and share His gospel message, all in His love, righteousness, riches, guidance and strength, all to His glory.  In being obedient in this way - in God, through God, and with God - these will be our good deeds done with right motives, and God will reward us for these.  He will not judge our sins, because we have already humbly repented and received His forgiveness - which is to die to self.

As the Church shares the gospel message - the key - people will be saved, and will enter in and be part of the Church at large - God's family.  Those who reject Jesus and His forgiveness, will not be part of the Church at large (and all unbelievers will be judged according to their sins).  

While believers share this wonderful message of love, hope, peace and salvation, there will be many who persecute us in order to silence the Church, but they will be unable to do so.  We should not be shocked that there will be persecution.  And we should not be fearful of this, as God is sovereign, and knows what has to be allowed and not allowed!  Even just consider what happened after Charlie Kirk was assassinated... MORE people began to seek God for His salvation, for fulfillment, satisfaction, answers, and purpose in life which can only be found in the Lord!

This life on earth is only temporary, while all eternity lies ahead!  With a perfectly functional and loving family and, most importantly, our heavenly Father, our most certain hope and everlasting peace and joy is imminent!