Thou Art The Christ
Our Bible passage, introduction to Sunday 9th January’s service and hymns are below.
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Our verses are:
Mar 8:27 And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am?
Mar 8:28 And they answered, John the Baptist: but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets.
Mar 8:29 And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ.
Mar 8:30 And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.
Thou Art The Christ
We now begin a very important period in the Lord’s ministry and His dealings with His disciples. The education of these men was not yet complete but it was progressing rapidly. They had heard the Lord’s doctrine and received private explanation of His parables. They had witnessed many, many wonderful miracles, proving the power and authority of the Lord Jesus upon the bodies of men and women, and signifying spiritual parallels for Gospel healing in people’s souls. Now the Lord called for an expression of the disciples’ faith in Him and a personal testimony from them as to His true identity.
Two questions
We remind ourselves the Lord’s enquiries are never to gain knowledge for Himself but intended to draw a suitable response from those questioned. So here. The Lord’s first question set the scene for His second and prompted confession of His true identity by Peter on behalf of himself and the other disciples. In truth, it is of little importance what the world in general thinks about the Lord Jesus, and the Lord does not give idle speculation another mention. What is important, though, is what the disciples thought, and this was the Lord’s purpose in asking both questions. What is important is that the disciples, and the church, know who the Lord Jesus Christ is, believe in Him, and confess their faith in Him.
One glorious answer
Peter’s answer, whether made impulsively knowing what the others believed, or by agreement on behalf of all the disciples, is succinct, accurate and powerful. He declared, “Thou art the Christ (v. 29) and Matthew’s account adds, “the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16). This brief answer encapsulated the hope, expectation, and prophetic truth of the Old Testament saints who looked for God’s Messiah. Peter confessed Jesus of Nazareth to be that Messiah; the chosen, anointed deliverer of God’s people and the only Saviour of the world.
One right answer
Peter’s answer was right and refuted every conjecture of men at the time or since who see Jesus at best as an exalted man or forerunner of the Messiah yet to come. Peter and the disciples knew better because they had been taught better. Jesus was the Christ who by His pure doctrine and evident power over life, death, sickness and health, demons and nature, had shown Himself to be very God and very Man.
Knowing Christ is eternal life
Peter’s expression of this truth was what the Lord was seeking from the disciples. The Saviour was both teaching and preparing His disciples for the role they would serve as His apostles. Preaching Jesus Christ; His person, works and accomplishments, is no mere notional idea or historical report, it is the truth of God’s dealings with the fallen world of sin for the salvation of His people. It is a message requiring a response of faith and trust. Later, Jesus would say in prayer to His Father, “this is life eternal, that they might know thee the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom thou hast sent (Joh 17:3).
Still a pertinent question
Our Lord seeks this confession from all those to whom His Gospel comes in power. You and I are called to hear this message and believe. To place our trust and hope and confidence in the accomplishments of Jesus Christ, the God Man. Matthew’s account of this conversation reveals Jesus calling Peter ‘blessed’ by God because discovering the Lord’s identity comes not from natural intelligence or wisdom, but by Divine revelation.
The question goes forth in the preaching of the Gospel of Jesus Christ today: ‘whom say ye that I am?’ All who hear the Gospel by faith, having been well informed, should be able and willing to come to a settled testimony concerning the Lord Jesus Christ; His person, office, and achievements. They should be ready to make a confession of their faith, and give a reason for the hope that is within them, and their confidence in Him. May God bless us all by giving us the spiritual wisdom and understanding to know Him, whom to know is life eternal.
Our hymns are below.
Hymn 1
Gadsby selection 632
The Believer Safe in Christ. John 3. 15, 16
W. Gadsby 8s
1
Whoever in Jesus believes,
The blessing is sure to obtain;
A full and free pardon Christ gives,
To all that confide in his name;
Nor Moses, nor Satan, nor sin,
Can sentence believers to hell;
No evil, without or within,
Shall ever against them prevail.
2
Till he who immensity fills,
Whose name is Jehovah, I AM,
Who governs the sun, moon, and stars,
And measures the earth with a span;
Till this God can fall from his throne,
His promise and faithfulness fail,
Omnipotence weakness become,
And hell against heaven prevail –
3
Till then the believer’s secure,
Though devils against him unite;
His faith stands in Jesus’s power,
And Christ all his battles will fight;
The feeble shall all be made strong;
Then let them rejoice in their King;
The warfare will cease before long,
And they a sweet victory sing.
Hymn 2
Gadsby selection 1116
“Stricken, smitten of God, and afflicted.” Isa. 53. 4
T. Kelly 8.7.
1
“Stricken, smitten, and afflicted,”
See him dying on the tree!
’Tis the Christ by man rejected!
Yes, my soul, ’tis he! ’tis he!
’Tis the long expected Prophet,
David’s son, yet David’s Lord;
Proofs I see sufficient of it;
’Tis a true and faithful word.
2
Tell me, ye who hear him groaning,
Was there ever grief like his?
Friends, through fear, his cause disowning,
Foes insulting his distress.
Many hands were raised to wound him,
None would interpose to save,
But the awful stroke that found him,
Was the stroke that justice gave.
3
Ye who think of sin but lightly,
Nor suppose the evil great,
Here may view its nature rightly,
Here its guilt may estimate.
Mark the sacrifice appointed!
See who bears the awful load!
’Tis the Word, the Lord’s Anointed,
Son of man, and Son of God.
4
Here we have a firm foundation;
Here’s the refuge of the lost;
Christ’s the Rock of our salvation;
His the name of which we boast.
Lamb of God for sinners wounded!
Sacrificed to cancel guilt!
None shall ever be confounded
Who on thee their hopes have built.