Eyes of faith.
v1-12 We must learn to look at situations with eyes of faith. Faith means learning to look at how much Jesus has and not at how little we have. The disciples, who forgot to bring enough bread, were not looking at their situation with eyes of faith. Sometimes we are so focused on our physical needs and problems that we forget to trust in Jesus. The Pharisees and Sadducees do not have eyes of faith. They appear to have insights in the natural realm but they lack spiritual revelation. The scribes and Pharisees saw Jesus perform miracles but refused to believe in Him. When we face challenges in life, we have to learn to see things with eyes of faith.
Jesus warns us to guard ourselves against false teaching. Jesus uses the example of leaven to illustrate how destructive false teaching is. In the Old Testament, the Israelites were commanded to totally rid their homes of leaven during Passover (Exodus 12:8, 15-20). It only takes a small amount of leaven to affect the whole lump of dough. As Christians, we should not tolerate false teaching even in small doses. We must be like the Bereans (Acts 17:10-15) who examined the scriptures to verify everything that a preacher spoke. False teaching is often deceptive and only noticeable on deeper inspection.
Read verse 1-12
What lesson is Jesus teaching His disciples?
In what way does Jesus warn us not to be like the Pharisees and Sadducees?
Why does Jesus use the example of leaven to describe the dangers of false teaching?
Revelation.
Caesarea Philippi was a spiritual stronghold. Here are 3 facts about Caesarea Philippi.
- In the Old Testament, it was a place for Baal worship (Joshua 11:17, Joshua 13:5, Judges 3:3, 1 Chronicles 5:23).
- Later on, it became a place of worship to the Greek god Pan. There was a large cave where people would cast sacrifices as offerings to Pan in the 3rd century BC.
- During the time of Jesus, it was a place of emperor worship. There was a great marble temple to Augustus Caesar built by Herod the Great.
v13-17 Do you have a personal revelation of who Jesus is? Peter had a revelation that Jesus was the Christ, the Son of the living God. This revelation was a personal conviction of the identity of Jesus despite what others said. A personal revelation of Jesus comes only from God the Father. God gives revelation through the Holy Spirit (John 16:13-15). If you desire revelation, you can ask the Holy Spirit. If you desire for your loved ones to come to know Jesus, you can pray for the Holy Spirit to give them a revelation of who Jesus is.
v18-19 After Peter’s confession, Peter receives a new identity. In the Old Testament, when God changes a person’s name, there is a change in their identity and destiny. Abram means “exalted father” and God changed his name to Abraham which means “father of many nations”. Peter is no longer to be called Simon son of Jonah but Peter. The name Peter (Πέτρος) means rock. When you confess Christ as your Lord, you become God’s child and a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). As a new creation, you taking on the identity and mission of Christ. The church (ἐκκλησίαν) refers to those who have been called out by the Lord. It is in Caesarea Philippi, a place of spiritual darkness, that Jesus declares 3 things about His church.
- Jesus will establish a church that is victorious over death.
- The church is given the responsibility to preach the Gospel so that people can enter the Kingdom of God.
- Jesus will build His church in places of spiritual darkness to bring His light.
v20 In Matthew 10, Jesus sent out His disciples to proclaim the Kingdom of Heaven. But at this present moment, He now asks His disciples not to reveal that He is the Christ. This is so that Jesus can fulfil the purpose for which God sent Him as the Messiah of the world.
Read verse 13-20.
How does a person receive a personal revelation of Jesus Christ? (hint: verse 17)
What does Jesus teach us about His church?
Eternal perspective.
v21-28 Jesus reveals that as the Messiah, He has come as a suffering servant. Jesus willingly goes to Jerusalem even though He knows that suffering and death await Him. His suffering is not a sign of defeat but part of God’s plan. Peter’s reaction reveals how this image of the Messiah was the opposite of what they expected. The disciples expected Jesus to establish God’s Kingdom on Earth. But Jesus calls us to embrace God’s plan for our lives instead. We must learn not to demand for God to do things the way we want Him to.
v24-28 One of the deepest secret to finding true life is learning to let go. When we hold on to earthly things, we are unable to receive what Jesus wants for us. Many people chase earthly pursuits at the expense of their soul. They make moral compromises and sacrifice relationships to get ahead in the world. Chasing after such pursuits eventually leave us empty and lonely. Will all the riches on the earth be enough to buy a ticket into heaven? How are we going to pay the price for our sin? When we are willing to lose it all to follow Jesus, He gives us true eternal life. Jesus calls us to follow His example by dying to ourselves and living for God.
Read verse 21-28.
What does it mean to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus?
Anesti Ministries 