1/14/09 Matthew 16 & 17
Do not Look for Miracles
From Mt 16:1-4 we can be at rest in our souls that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God. There is no reason for further evidence or miracles to authenticate who Jesus is. The sign of Jonah that Jesus refers to in these verses is the miracle of overcoming death by being resurrected from the dead. Jesus lives today having conquered sin, death, and the grave. Consider the words from this familiar hymn;
My faith has found a resting place,
Not in device or creed;
I trust the ever living One,
His wounds for me shall plead.
Refrain
I need no other argument,
I need no other plea,
It is enough that Jesus died,
And that He died for me.
Enough for me that Jesus saves,
This ends my fear and doubt;
A sinful soul I come to Him,
He’ll never cast me out.
My heart is leaning on the Word,
The living Word of God,
Salvation by my Savior’s Name,
Salvation through His blood.
My great Physician heals the sick,
The lost He came to save;
For me His precious blood He shed,
For me His life He gave.
A Great Question to Ask
Jesus asks Peter a great question in Mt 16:15. I like to use this question when I seek to share the good news with people. Certainly, in America most people have heard of Jesus, so this is a great question to ask people and complete strangers; “Who do you say Jesus is?” Who knows what kind of response you will get, but you have an open opportunity to tell them what the living Word of God says in Mt 16:16.
An Abused Scripture
Matthew 16:19 is one of the most abused scriptures when it comes to prayer. Certain groups use this verse in their prayers like some kind of magical curse to be placed on the kingdom of darkness. This “binding and loosing” is in reference to people, not spiritual forces. Lk 11:52 refers to teachers of the law who have bound people by taking away knowledge and hindering people from entering. In this context, Peter has received the “keys of the kingdom” by confessing Jesus as the Messiah and the receiving of the good news of the kingdom. Peter and consequently the church, which confess Jesus and received the good news of the kingdom by repentance and faith, then have the power and responsibility to proclaim Jesus as the Christ. Proclaiming Jesus is the Christ and sharing the good news are the keys to the kingdom, thus opening the kingdom to those who believe and shutting it to those who do not believe out.
Prayer: Father, thank you that my faith has found a resting place in Jesus Christ. I pray that I may share this truth with others that they too can have a resting place for their faith. Allow me to be a faithful key holder and give me the boldness to share with others that Jesus is the Christ and that there is good news in His name. Amen