Watch the Sunday School video for October 17, 2021
posted on the church Facebook page.


Focal passage: Matthew 16:13-20
Background passage: Ephesians 2:19-21

We continue our discussion of what it means to be the Church, following Jesus and his disciples to Caesarea of Philippi. This district is located in the northern-most part of Israel, far away from the gaze of the Jewish leaders. Jesus is withdrawing out of Jewish territory in order to be alone with his disciples. With his death looming, he has so much to teach them, but they continue to struggle to understand. The area is filled with old temples and stories of ancient idol worship. In Caesarea, Philippi, a great white temple built to Caesar sits at the top of the mountain which can be seen from far away. The discussion about the identity of Jesus takes place in the shadow of the powers and belief systems of the world. 

Verse 13
Jesus poses the question of his identity to his disciples: “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Biblical scholar, NT Wright says that Jesus surely knew the answer, but he wants them to give voice to what they are beginning to understand. 
 
How might verbally expressing your understanding of Jesus affect your faith? 

Verse 14
These responses listed by the twelve must have been the gossip that swirled around the crowds who gathered to hear Jesus preach and teach. 

Some say John the Baptist. John the Baptist was the one who called the people to repent in preparation for the arrival of God’s Messiah. 

Some say you are Elijah. The Old Testament prophesied that Elijah would return. At that time the arrival of the Messiah would be near.

Some say Jeremiah or one of the prophets. The Old Testament prophets spoke about the coming of the Messiah and the events that would surround his arrival. 

Notice that the responses of the crowds, as offered by the twelve, are connected to the story of God’s great plan of redemption through Jesus Christs. They skirt around the edges of truth, but the insight remains woefully inadequate. 

What are the similarities between the way our culture speaks about Jesus and the crowds who gathered to hear Jesus speak and teach? Why do you think the crowds did not understand despite the teaching, preaching and many miracles they witnessed? What can we learn from the response of those who were eyewitnesses to these miraculous events? 

Verse 15 
Jesus doesn’t seem to be as concerned about what the crowds say about him. He drills down, asking the question more directly. “But who do you say that I am?” 

Verse 16 
Peter seems to speak without hesitation, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The word Christ is the Greek word meaning God’s anointed one. The corresponding Hebrew term is Messiah. Recognizing that Jesus is the Christ (or the Messiah) means that Peter is saying that God’s kingdom has arrived in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the one who speaks truth to kings (as the prophets did) but even more he is the one who will replace the earthly kings who rule the world. God’s rule and reign has arrived in Jesus and he is the one with all authority. The prophets and the psalmist spoke about the living God in contrast to the idols of the world, which were not alive. 

Although Peter does not see to hesitate in his response, he surely must have trembled with these words. For in the shadow of the temple of Caesar, the fisherman from Galilee is defying the current political system and announcing the worship of Jesus as Lord and King.

Verse 17
Peter has just proclaimed the relationship between God the Father and Jesus the Son. Jesus indicates that Peter has received this revelation from God and declares that Peter is blessed because of the understanding that he has. 
 
How does a deepening understanding of who Jesus is and what he has accomplished for you bless your life? 

Verse 18 
Immediately after Peter’s confession, Jesus says to him that he is Peter and upon this rock I will build my Church. Jesus is using a play on words: the name Peter is from the Greek word Petros, which comes from the Greek word petra, meaning rock. Biblical scholars have differing opinions about what Jesus means by his pronouncement. Some say that this means that Jesus will build his church on the faith and character of Peter. Others say that Jesus is indicating that he will build his Church on the confession of faith that Jesus is King, and Son of the Living God. Jesus isn’t speaking about a physical structure but a community consisting of all those who give their allegiance to God’s Messiah, the anointed King. (The word church is translated from the Greek word ecclesia which means assembly.)

Jesus assures Peter (and all Christians for all time) that the gates of hell will not prevail against the Church. 

Read Ephesians 2:19-21
The Apostle Paul says that the prophets and the apostles will be the foundation of the Church. This means that the future of the Church will depend upon their work and their witness. Jesus Christ is the chief cornerstone; he is the force who holds the Church together. Without him, the whole edifice (or community) will disintegrate and collapse. 

What does it mean to be aware that the Church continues to be built by Jesus on the confession that he is Lord and King? What does it mean to know that the Church will continue to be sustained by Jesus? What does it mean to be confident that the gates of hell will never conquer the Church? How might these insights influence you in the way you serve and use your spiritual gifts in the church? How might these insights change the way you view problems within the church? How might these insights change the way you view persecution that comes against Christians? 

Verse 19
Jesus then gives Peter the keys of heaven so that they can bind and unbind.  This is a reference to the teaching and decisions that would be given by the apostles to the early church. A couple of chapters later, (Matthew 18:18) Jesus uses similar terminology and transfers the same authority to all of the twelve disciples. This second use of binding and unbinding seems to be connected to the development of church government. Jesus is telling the disciples that they will lead the church in her infancy, based on the revelation they have received from God. 

The question Jesus asked Peter is the one he asks each individual. Your answer will determine much more than what you think about Jesus. Your answer determines how you will choose to live in light of what you know to be true. Unless you make the firm statement that Peter made, the culture around you will dilute your understanding and commitment. 

In your experience, what is the difference between understanding the story of Jesus and enjoying a continuing relationship with the Son of the Living God? 

First United Methodist Church 307 Flint Avenue Albany, Georgia 31701
First United Methodist Church |www.firstmethodistalbany.com