Matthew 16:13-20
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
“But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven.
And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.”
Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Just as God had taught Peter so that he could come to know Jesus perfectly, we also need to learn and know about Jesus properly. Then upon that foundation, we can realize about the time period properly, establish our faith upon a rock that is even more solid, receive the key to Heaven like Peter did, and also receive the mission of binding in Heaven what is bound on Earth and loosening in Heaven what is loosed on Earth.
You Need to Know Jesus to Fulfill Salvation
The one sent by God is truly tremendous. Without knowing Him properly, you cannot become united with the Holy Trinity. It is because God fulfills His history and His purpose through the one sent. You cannot fulfill God’s history and your own salvation with just you and God alone. Only when you are united with Jesus Christ, the Savior sent by God, can you fulfill salvation and God’s purpose. Therefore, you must know Jesus perfectly as the Lord. Then Jesus will always accompany you, and you will be able to do your missions properly and fulfill perfect salvation.
Fulfill Your Responsibilities at This Time
After Jesus’ disciples confessed that He was the Lord and the Son of God, Jesus told them not to tell anyone that He was the Christ. While teaching the gospel is the responsibility of the one preaching it, realizing about the Lord is the responsibility of each person who hears the gospel.
At this time, we should not lean to the right or the left, no matter what people around us or in the world say, but we need to check ourselves. Don’t slander or defame others using methods that evil-doers use. Realize what God is renewing and perfecting at this time, and check your own daily life and faith. We need to renew what needs to be renewed, fix what needs to be fixed, make perfect whatever needs to be perfected, and discover God’s blessings for us in this time period.
