You can read this message. You can study the Bible. You can listen to Bible talks. You can even participate in outreach activities. But all of this is still insufficient. There is a huge difference between watching, reading, participating, and believing. “Jesus 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.”” (Matthew 16:13-16). Peter declares the foundation statement of faith. Jesus is the Messiah, the one anointed to rule. Jesus is the Son, the one divinely come from God. Jesus is from the living God, he is life and power. Peter declares Jesus as King and divine Saviour who brings life from the all-powerful God above. And to this Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church” (Matthew 16:17-18). It’s not on Peter, whose name means stone, that Jesus builds his church, but on his confession about Jesus, the rock. So today Jesus has a question for you: “But who do you say I am?” (Craig B) Open Bible – bit.ly/Mat16v13-18
