Rock Solid!

Jesus’ first words to Peter were “Come, follow me” Mark 1:17.  His last words to him were “You must follow me” John 21:22.  Every step of the way between those two challenges, Peter never failed to follow—even though he often stumbled.

When Jesus entered Peter’s life, this plain fisherman became a new person with new goals and new priorities.  He did not become a perfect person, however, and he never stopped being Simon Peter.  Oh, we may wonder what Jesus saw in Simon that made him greet this potential disciple with a new name—Peter the “rock”.  Impulsive and quick to the defense, he certainly didn’t act like a rock much of the time, rather, more like a rolling stone.  When Jesus chose his followers he wasn’t looking for models, but, real people.  And Peter was as real as they came.  Jesus chose people who could be changed by his love, and then he sent them out to communicate that his acceptance was available to anyone—even to those who fail.

Peter often spoke perhaps without thinking, but, he was on target with Matthew 16:16 “Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the loving God.””  Every word here is explicitly empathetic—a most concise, and yet comprehensive, confession of faith.  It is known as the Great Confession.

Peter feeling the light of his Master’s glory shining in his soul, he breaks forth—not in a tame, docile, prosaic acknowledgment ‘I believe thou art the Christ’, OH NO, rather, Peter in a language of adoration and affirmation—such as one used in heartfelt worship “THOU ART THE CHRIST, THE SON OF THE LIVING GOD!”  And Peter meant it! He is passionate here for Jesus.

The Great Confession is no mere acknowledgment that Jesus is the Messiah of the Hebrews but also declares Jesus’ direct relationship and oneness to God.  After Peter made this statement Jesus receives, the confession, and the fact that that the confession is perfectly acceptable and satisfactory to Jesus, and is forthwith made the dogmatic foundation of Christianity (“Upon this rock I will build my church”).  Some will say Christ was referring to Peter as “the rock” as the foundation where he will build his church, others will say it was the words “the confession” where Jesus will build his church.  They appear synomous.  Peter’s name meant “rock”.  God used Peter greatly in the foundation of the church.  It was Peter who first proclaimed the Gospel on the day of Pentecost (Acts 2:14-47).  Peter was also the first to take the Gospel to the Gentiles (Acts 10:1-48). 

“Thou art the Christ the Son of the living God” We have more evidence:

• ·        The Son…1 John 4:14 “And we have seen and testify that the Father has sent his Son to be the Savior of the world.”

• ·        The Son of God…John 1:34 “I have seen and I testify that this is the Son of God”.

• ·        God’s only begotten Son…John 3:16 “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son”.

• ·        The Son of the Father…2 John 3 “Grace, mercy and peace from God the Father and from Jesus Christ the Father’s Son”.

You want more? 

• ·   First born of every creature…Colossians 1:15
• ·   His own Son…Romans 8:32
• ·   A Son given…Isaiah 9:6
• ·   One Son…Mark 12:6
• ·   My Son…Psalm 2:7
• ·   His dear Son…Colossians 1:13
• ·   The Son of the Highest…Luke 1:32
• ·   The Son of the Blessed…Mark 14:61

Jesus remarked that this knowledge of who He was didn’t come from man, but by the father in heaven.  Things haven’t changed much since Peter: God still reveals the deeper truths of His Word.