Jesus, the Christ

MEMORY VERSE: “Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.” —Matthew 16:24

MATTHEW 16:13-26

FEW of the thousands of Israel to whom Jesus ministered realized that he was the Messiah foretold in the Old Testament Scriptures, although many of them seemed convinced that he was a man sent by God. The disciples, when asked by Jesus, reported to him that some thought he was John the Baptist, others that he was the foretold Elijah, still others that he was one of the prophets raised from the dead, possibly Jeremiah. These were good reports, in the sense that they revealed the people’s appreciation of Jesus’ capabilities.

But these reports came short of indicating a true discernment of the Master’s identity. Then Jesus asked his disciples, “Whom say ye that I am?” Peter replied, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus was pleased with this, and said to Peter, “Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” In other words, Peter’s discernment was not a matter of human reasoning. It was the Heavenly Father who had revealed this great truth to him.

Then Jesus further said to him, “Thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” The name “Peter” is a translation of a Greek word meaning a “piece of rock,” whereas the Greek work translated “rock” in this text means a “mass of rock,” or foundation stone. Jesus seems to be comparing the meaning of Peter’s name to the importance of the great foundation truth he had expressed that Jesus was the Messiah [Hebrew], or Christ [Greek].

The Scriptures establish the fact that Christ is the true foundation of the church. (I Cor. 3:11; Eph. 2:20) Peter could not, therefore, be the rock upon which the church is built, but he had identified that rock, even Christ, the promised Messiah.

Jesus explained that the “gates of hell shall not prevail against” his church. Hell is the great prison of death, the Bible hell, hades. Jesus holds the “keys” of hell, and in due time will release all its prisoners. (Rev. 1:18) The first to be released are his own disciples, who are raised up in the “first resurrection” to live and reign with him.—Rev. 20:4,6

The word “church” [Greek, ekklesia; English, ecclesia] means a “called out” class. Those of the true church are called out from the world to be associated with Jesus in the work of restoring the world of mankind to life. When the church is complete, nothing can possibly interfere with the divine purpose to release all the prisoners of death that they might have an opportunity to live forever.

The “keys of the kingdom” given to Peter are not the keys of heaven. A key is a symbol of the power, or authority to open, or to unlock. Peter used one of the keys of the kingdom of heaven when he served as the chief spokesman at Pentecost to open the Gospel of the kingdom and its opportunities to the large audience there assembled to hear him. Three thousand on that one day went through the door he opened into the church, and those among them who proved faithful will live and reign with Christ in his kingdom.

Later, Peter similarly served in presenting the Gospel of the kingdom to Cornelius and his family, the first Gentile converts. Thus he used the two keys of the kingdom of heaven. All the inspired apostles were given the authority implied in Jesus’ statement to Peter concerning things “bound” and “loosed” in earth being bound and loosed in heaven.

Jesus had covenanted to do his Father’s will, and it was the Father’s will for him to die to redeem the world from death. If faithful in this, he would gain life immortal in the resurrection. Not only so, but those who would be his true disciples are also invited to take up their cross and follow him into sacrificial death. This is the meaning of our memory text.

Those who accept this invitation must, like Jesus, go into death, and like Jesus, they too will be raised to immortality in the resurrection, to live and reign with Christ.—Rom. 2:7; II Pet.1:4

QUESTIONS

How was Peter able to identify Jesus as the Messiah?

Explain Jesus’ statement concerning the “rock” upon which the church is built.

Who will open the gates of hell?

How did Jesus save his life by losing it?

Do we as his followers have the same opportunity?

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