Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matthew 16:16)
People quickly jump to conclusions about others–especially on social media– often without knowing anything substantial. Has this happened to you? It happened to Jesus. Some said he was one of the prophets while others alleged that he was a resurrected John the Baptist (Matthew 16:14). During the time Jesus spent on the earth, many Jews expected the King promised by God to come to free them.
This king was called Messiah which means “anointed one”. In Israel a king would be anointed as a sign of his power. In Greek, the language of the New Testament, Messiah is translated as Christ. “Christ” then, is not just another name for Jesus, but a title. Jesus, the Son of God, is the promised King, sent by God.
God had a greater salvation as his goal, greater than Israel’s deliverance from Roman occupation. Gradually, Peter was convinced that all that Jesus said and did was a fulfilling of the prophecies regarding the promised King. So Peter could wholeheartedly say, “You are the Christ”.
What does it take for you to believe what someone says? What makes you believe what Jesus says?
Image by Lumo Project Films – www.lumoproject.com.