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Peter’s Confession – Matt. 16
Peter’s Confession – Matt. 16
Who do men say that I am? THEN, the more important question: “Who do YOU say that I am?”. Peter responds: “Simon Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." (Matthew 16:16)
This however was neither the first nor last time that Jesus would be identified as the Son of God.
The angel said to Mary: "The Holy Spirit will come upon you, and the power of the Most High will overshadow you; and for that reason the holy Child shall be called the Son of God” (Luke 1:35).
The Father said at His baptism: "This is My beloved Son, in whom I am well-pleased" (Matt. 3:17).
Immediately following God’s declaration, (read Matt. 3:17 thru 4:4 and ignore the chapter break!), Satan acknowledged in the temptation: “If you are the Son of God” (Matt. 4:3).
The demons acknowledged saying: “I know who You are—the Holy One of God!" (Mark 1:24).
The Father declared at the transfiguration of Jesus: "This is My beloved Son, listen to Him!" (Mark 9:7).
At the death of Lazarus, his sister Martha confessed: "Yes, Lord; I have believed that You are the Christ, the Son of God, even He who comes into the world" (John 11:27).
Jesus responded to the High Priest: "Are You the Christ, the Son of the Blessed One?"
62 And Jesus said, "I am; and you shall see the Son of Man sitting at the right hand of Power, and coming with the clouds of heaven" (Mark 14:61-62).
Such resulted in His crucifixion and burial.
God responded yet again, this time by the resurrection: Rom. 1:4
So, we return to Jesus question: who do YOU say that Jesus is? The testimony of the scripture is that He is the Son of the living God. We are faced with the decision, either believe, trust, and confess this now, or bow the knee in submission and condemnation in making this confession on the day of Judgment (Phil. 2:8-11). What will it be with you?
Hugh DeLong
