Sabbath: Peter and the Rock
Read for This Week’s Study: Gal. 4:4, Heb. 7:26, Matt. 16:13-20, Eph. 2:20, Matt. 16:21-27, Matt. 17:1-9.
Memory Text:“‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’” (Matthew 16:15, NIV).
Image © Lars Justinen Goodsalt.com
From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day” (Matt. 16:21, NKJV).
The New Testament is clear: Jesus had to die. As He faced the looming shadow of the Cross, Jesus prayed: “‘Now My soul is troubled, and what shall I say? “Father, save Me from this hour”? But for this purpose I came to this hour’” (John 12:27, NKJV). This was the divine plan, conceived within the mind of God, even “before time began” (Titus 1:2, NKJV, see also 2 Tim. 1:9).
That’s why Jesus didn’t say simply that He was going to suffer many things and be killed and raised up on the third day, but that Hemust face these things. Given the nature of God, the sanctity of the law, and the reality of free will, His death was the only way that humanity could be saved from the penalty of transgression.
This week we pick up more of the story of Jesus, though we will focus on Peter and how Peter responded to the ministry of Jesus as He marched toward a death planned from ”before time began.”
Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, May 21.
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Memory verse Matt16:15-16, is an answer to the question in Matt16:13,and an answer that is not unexpected from Peter. Peter was perhaps a self appointed spokesperson for the Disciples as well as Jesus at times. The number of times and ways that Jesus shaped the apostles, especially Peter, was the ideal method He chose. We will probably visit a number of those chosen times, the purpose being an example for us and guide in times of doubt and questioning.
I like Peter's character because it helped him to know more about Jesus and that is why he was so different from Judas yet all sinned. Peter was so quick to repent of his sins yet Judas decided to hug himself
Who do you say I AM? That question has the answer in it already. Moses was told by God to tell the people that I AM THAT I AM (Exodus 3:14).The Bible says "I am the bread of life." John 6:35, 41, 48-51."I am the light of the world." John 8:12, 9:5."I am the door of the sheep." John 10:7, 9."I am the good shepherd; the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." John 10:11, 14."I am the resurrection, and the life." John 11:25."I am the way, the truth, and the life." John 14:6."I am the true vine." John 15:1, 5.So we need to have a revelation of who Jesus is to us. He becomes what you need Him to be in a given situation. Jesus went into his own hometown at the climax of his ministry. The sick were being healed, blind eyes were being opened and he was performing many signs and wonders. This was not so in his home town. They looked at him and marvelled but soon they were thinking this is the carpenter's son and many other things. Unbelief then crept in and it crippled the channel that made Jesus do might works. Blocked by their unbelief, He could not do much there. Unbelief has the capacity of locking away miracles, signs and wonders. Yes, it has the ability to stop God from accomplishing great things here on earth. Hence, the revelation you have of who Jesus is will determine how much you will receive from Him. When you are sick you need to know that He is the healer. Peter because of the revelation he received from the Father (verse 17), about who Jesus is, He was elevated and given the ‘keys’ of the Kingdom of Heaven which stands for authority. Yes others can say He is so and so but what matters is who you say He is to you personally.
"Who do you say I am?"this question require personal answer.It is our personal acknowledgement of Jesus that will persuade us to reveal who Jesus is to us.When we attach ourselves to him,we will have the courage to testify that He is our only source of living irrespective of the circumstances surrounding us.By testifying and revealing Christ as the author and finisher of our faith it will enable us to do exploit for God.Personal testimony of Christ is prerequisite for our Christian endeavor.
Jesus described Himself as the Mesiah (John 4:26); the Bread of Life (John 6:35, 48); the Living Bread (John 6: 51);the Saviour(John 3:16); Light of the World (John 8:12; 9:5); I Am (John 8:58); the Good Shepherd (John 10: 11); the Son of God (10:36); the Resurrection and the Life (John 11:25); The way, truth and life (John 14:6); I am the Vine (John 15:5); A King (John 18:37); Has all authority (Matt. 28:18); the Judge 5:22, 27) etc.
In about the middle of Christ' s ministry He asked the disciples: "who do people say I am?" Multitudes had seen Him perform mighty miracles; heard Him utter pearls of wisdom and were awestruck by the love He showed towards the downcast. The disciples answered that some people thought He was John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah or some other prophet. It is profoundly puzzling that no one said He was God. Even one of His disciples wanted Jesus to show them the Father and Jesus simply said said to Philip "Have I been with you so long, and yet you have not known Me?"
But Peter expressed his firm conviction when he boldly declared,"You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." Clearly, he believed that Christ was God in the flesh. I want to belueve that the same question that Jesus asked His disciples some two thousand years ago, confronts us today. Who is Jesus Christ to you? This question is very important because if He is not what He claimed to be to you, then we must concede we do not have a Saviour and therefore as sinners we are destined for eternal damnation. But if He is all He claimed to be, then we have salvation assured!!!
The love that was shown on that cross of Calvary by Jesus is agape and humility. We need also try to practice the character of Jesus in order for us not to miss heaven.
Peter's character was helpful for him to know more about Jesus and that is why he was so different from Judas yet all sinned. Peter came to realize that he did wrong to the eyes of his LORD and repented of his sins but Judas after realizing of his wrong, he hanged himself.