Title: Jesus’ two questions and answers
Who do you say that I am? (Mat 16:13-17)
Answers from people
-John the Baptist
King Herod killed John the Baptist because he criticized his sin. However, a short time later, Jesus appeared and did the similar thing of what John the Baptist used to. So, King Herod thought Jesus was the re-incarnation of John the Baptist (Mat 14:2).
-Elijah
Because the Bible prophesied that Elijah will come before the Messiah (Mal 4:5-6).
-Jeremiah
There is no scripture talking about Jeremiah coming before the Messiah. But there are some Jewish documents and traditions saying that Jeremiah will come before the Messiah
-A prophet
Moses prophesied that God will raise a prophet like him. Thus, people thought Jesus was the prophet like Moses (Deu 18:15).
We can see that people didn’t think Jesus was the Messiah (Christ, Savior) but someone who prepares the way of the Lord. So, Jesus asked the disciples what they think.
- Answers from the disciples
Mat 16:16-17 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 17 And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.
Apostle Peter answered quickly that Jesus is the Christ. Then, Jesus answered him that the one who revealed it to him is the Father in heaven. It means Jesus confirmed that He is the Christ.
After the confession of Peter, Jesus promised 3 things (Mat 16:18-19).
- Jesus will build His church.
- The gates of Hades shall not overpower the church. Jesus alluded that on behalf of us, He will go down to Hades but overcome the power of death, He will resurrect. Thus, we do not have to go down to Hades any longer.
- The keys to the kingdom of heaven are given. It means we can open the door and enter the kingdom of heaven.
- What do you think about the Christ? (Mat 22:41-46)
Jesus asked this question to correct the wrong perspective and expectation of the Messiah. The Pharisees were Bible experts; they memorize the scripture by heart. So, when Jesus asked the question “whose son is He?” they answer without hesitation that the Messiah will come as the son of David. It is not that Jews didn’t expect or forgot about the Messiah but the way Jesus appeared and the way that Jesus explained Himself didn’t fit to their expectations of the Messiah.
Traditionally, Jew’s expectation on the Messiah is like another prophet or another judge: a person of excellence would be born and will be called to serve as the Messiah. They never thought that God would come down and work as the Messiah.
If the Messiah will be chosen from faithful people, then Jesus didn’t have to be conceived by the Holy Spirit and Jesus didn’t have to incarnate on earth (Rev 22:16).
- What does Jesus think about Himself?
- I am the one who has been speaking to you from the beginning (John 8:25).
Jesus was answering that I am the WORD that has been existed from the beginning of the world (John 1:1, 14).
Jesus said, when He is lifted up, the people will understand that Jesus is the Christ (John 8:28)
(2) I am the one who has been existing before Abraham
John 8:53 Surely You are not greater than our father Abraham, who died? The prophets died too; whom do You make Yourself out to be?”
John 8:58 Jesus said to them, “Truly, truly, I say to you, before Abraham [a]was born, I am.”
Conclusion: Why then the people couldn’t believe in Jesus?
Because the death of Jesus Christ became a stumbling block to them. At least, the disciples came out from traditional Jewish thought and believed that Jesus is the Messiah. However, they were not able to come out completely because they still believed that Messiah cannot die (Mat 16:21-23).
Peter confessed that Jesus is the Christ and the son of the living God. However, he didn’t understand that the Messiah has to die. Peter’s faith and answer wasn’t 100%.
The founding pastor preached about this once before that Peter should instead ask Jesus why He had to die. We have to understand from how Jesus explained.
The Lord's Covenant Church Malaysia 