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Foreshadowing of the Cross
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impart, but gave them opportunity to confess their faith in Him. He
asked, “Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?”
Sadly the disciples acknowledged that Israel had failed to rec-
ognize their Messiah. The multitudes at Bethsaida had desired to
proclaim Him king of Israel. Many were ready to accept Him as a
prophet, but they did not believe Him to be the Messiah.
Jesus now put a second question, relating to the disciples them-
selves: “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered, “Thou art the
Christ, the Son of the living God.”
From the first, Peter had believed Jesus to be the Messiah. Many
others who had accepted Christ began to doubt as to John’s mission
when he was imprisoned and put to death, and they now doubted that
Jesus was the Messiah. Many who had expected Jesus to take His
place on David’s throne left Him when they perceived that He had
no such intention. But the vacillating course of those who praised
yesterday and condemned today did not destroy the faith of the true
follower of the Saviour. Peter declared, “Thou art the Christ, the
Son of the living God.” He waited not for kingly honors to crown
his Lord, but accepted Him in His humiliation.
Peter had expressed the faith of the Twelve. Yet the opposition
of the priests and rulers still caused them great perplexity. They did
not see their way clearly. Their early training, the teaching of the
rabbis, the power of tradition, still intercepted their view of truth.
Precious rays of light shone on them, yet often they were like men
groping among shadows. But on this day, the Holy Spirit rested on
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them in power. Beneath the guise of humanity they discerned the
glory of the Son of God.
Jesus answered Peter, saying, “Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-Jona:
for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father
which is in heaven.”
The truth which Peter had confessed is the foundation of the
believer’s faith. But through no wisdom or goodness of his own had
it been revealed to Peter. The fact that Peter discerned the glory of
Christ was an evidence that he had been “taught of God.” See
Psalm
25:14
;
John 6:45
.
Jesus continued: “I say also unto thee, Thou art Peter, and upon
this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not
prevail against it.” The word Peter signifies a stone—a rolling stone.