Matthew 16:13 says, When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am? Jesus asked His disciples who they said He was when He came to the coasts of Caesarea Philippi. It was important that they knew that He was more than just a carpenter's son turned preacher. We today must know Who Jesus really is in order to be saved, and it is a question that we must all one day answer. Verse sixteen states, And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets. The disciples answered by telling Jesus Who other people said He was, but that wasn't the question. It does not matter Who other people say Jesus is for a person to be saved, but Who each person says Jesus is for himself or herself. Verse fifteen declares, He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? Jesus once again asked the disciples Who they said He was, and we may be asked the question more than once today. Verse sixteen says, And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. Peter gave the only answer that can be given in order to accept salvation. Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Verse seventeen declares, And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Just as Jesus told Peter, we will never come to a knowledge of Who Jesus really is by earthly understanding but only by the revelation of God. Verse eighteen adds, And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. The rock that Jesus said He would build His church on was not Peter, but Peter's faith in Jesus as the Messiah. It is our faith in Jesus as our Savior and Lord that still builds the church today. Verse nineteen continues, And I will give unto thee the keys of the kingdom of heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt bind on earth shall be bound in heaven: and whatsoever thou shalt loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven. Some would claim that it was Peter himself who was given control over who entered the kingdom of heaven, but it was Peter's faith in Jesus as the Messiah and his sharing that knowledge that gave him the control. Verse twenty states, Then charged he his disciples that they should tell no man that he was Jesus the Christ. At that time, Jesus told His disciples to not tell anyone that He was Jesus the Christ, because He had not completed His mission in coming to earth. We today as followers of Christ have the command to go and tell everyone, because Jesus has completed His work of salvation. Verse twenty-one declares, From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Jesus began from that day to tell the disciples His real mission, that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer, die and be raised again on the third day. As Christians today, we must accept by faith the fact that this really happened. Verse twenty-two says, Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. Peter took Jesus aside and began to rebuke Him, telling Him that this would not happen to Him. Maybe Peter felt that because Jesus told him that He would build the church on faith like Peter had he felt that what he said was more important than what Jesus said. We will never become so important in God's kingdom that we can change what Jesus did to make Him any less than Who He is. Verse twenty-three declares, But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. After telling Peter that his faith was the rock the church was to be built on, Jesus now called him Satan. That was quite a rebuke to Peter. Verse twenty-four adds, Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Jesus said that not only was He to suffer and die, but that if anyone would follow Him that he or she would have to daily die to self will and follow Him. Verse twenty-five adds, For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. If we put ourselves above the sacrifice of Christ, then we will lose our life spiritually. Verse twenty-six continues, For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Jesus asked the disciple, and asks us today, what do we gain no matter how rich we may become if we lose our soul. Verse twenty-seven declares, For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works. Jesus said one day He would be coming to judge everyone based on their works. This does not mean that we can work our way into heaven, but that after we accept Jesus as our Savior and Lord that our works should be done for God's glory and to advance His kingdom. Verse twenty-eight adds, Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom. This did not mean that Jesus was going to return in judgment in their lifetime, but that they would come to understand Who He really was.
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