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Bible Passage John

Jesus’ Commendations 4: Simon Peter

  • Tony Raker
Date preached February 20, 2022

Jesus’ Commendations 4: Simon Peter

This series reviews instances where Jesus commended either individuals or groups, clarifying circumstances, identifying the heart intent of all and the impact on us today.

  • Contextual/Comparison: God keeps His Word: God continually uses His Word. This word of commendation given by our Lord to Peter leads us to the study of what is perhaps one of the most deeply significant passages in the Gospels – 16:13-25; commendation in v. 17. Our Lord revealed to His disciples seven important lessons:
  1. The most important question is: “Who is Jesus Christ?”

Look at vv. 13-14. Why did our Lord ask this question? It was not because He did not know what others were thinking of Him but to bring expression from His disciples and in order that He might reveal Himself to them. He asked the question in v. 13, and received the reply in v. 14. Who is Jesus Christ? Is He just a wonderful man, or is He God? (See Mt. 27:41-46). What we think of Christ is extremely important, for what we think of Him will determine what we do with Him (Mt. 27:22), and what we do with Him will determine what He does with us (John 8:24).

  1. The Lord Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the Living God.

Look at vv. 15-17a. In v. 15 our Lord asked the question, and in v. 16 Peter, always more forward than the others, gave his answer. Peter was sure – and for his clear statement concerning our Lord’s essential mission and deity Peter won His immediate commendation. From vv. 15-17 we learn two things:

  1. Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God ( 16). He is not man who became God, but God who became man (compare John 1:1; 14):
  • “”In the beginning was the Word” – His Eternal Being
  • “”The Word was with God” – His Distinct Personality
  • “”The Word was God“ – His Essential Deity
  • “”The Word became flesh” – His Incarnation and Humanity
  1. Our Lord acknowledged Himself to be the Son of God ( 17; compare John 5:23; 8:42; 10:30-38; 14:9-10; 16:27-28; 17:5, 24).

Matthew 16:17: “And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.”

  • Grammatical Usage: “Blessed” or in the Greek, “makarios” meaning, “happy; envied”.
  • Literal Interpretation: And Jesus answered him, “Having received God’s provision, how enviable are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.
  1. Our Lord’s true nature is only understood by divine revelation.

Peter’s confession of the person of Christ was a revelation from God, not man (v. 17; 1 Cor. 12:3).  The Jews cannot see Jesus as their Messiah because a veil is over their eyes (2 Cor. 3:14-15); Gentiles likewise are in the dark until their eyes are opened by the Holy Spirit (Mt. 11:25-27). What is our testimony concerning the Person of Christ? Is He God – or is He man? With Thomas we say “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28).

  1. Christ is the Foundation, the Builder and the Preserver of His Church.

Vv. 17-18 tell us this; Christ’s dogmatic assertion – “I tell you…” – what? Three things:

  • He is the Foundation of the Church – 18. If Jesus had meant He was going to build His church on Peter, why did He not say, “And on you I will build my church”? Matthew deliberately used two words to make clear to all generations that Jesus did not say that He would build His church on Peter: “You are Peter (Petros – a stone) and on this rock (Petra – meaning a large rock) I will build my church.” Christ Jesus is the great foundation, and there can be no other (1 Cor. 3:11; 1 Peter 2:4-6).  “The church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord…”
  • He is the Builder of the Church. He said, “I will build my church…” It is His church, He is building it, and He will complete it.
  • He is the Preserver of the Church. He said, “The gates of Hades will not overcome…” These words were prophetic of the conflict which the church would experience all through the centuries. We are experiencing that warfare today. The Devil is on the warpath; but here is our Lord’s word guaranteeing the security of His church (John 10:28-29).
  1. Our Lord gives His servants authority to act and speak in His Name.

Notice two things in v. 19. The first part of the verse has a dispensational reference. Peter was to open the door to the Jews (which he did on the Day of Pentecost – Acts 2); and then to the Gentiles (which he did in the house of Cornelius – Acts 10). The second part of the verse has a disciplinary reference. Binding and loosing have to do with discipline within the church (1 Cor. 5:1-13; 2 Cor. 2:1-11). Closely linked with these words are our Lord’s words recorded in Jn. 20:23. What do they mean? Do ministers or servants of Christ have the power to forgive sins? No (Mk. 2:10). They mean that Christ’s ambassadors have authority to declare God’s way of forgiveness, which is through faith in Him and in His atoning work.

  1. The central truth about Christ is His Death and Resurrection.

Vv. 20-23 emphasizes this. The death and resurrection of the Lord Jesus are the subjects of all biblical types and prophecy, and when Christ came and died on the cross He fulfilled these. Concerning v. 21, we notice that all through His life He was conscious that He must go to the cross and die and be raised again. His death and resurrection should be the central point of all preaching (1 Cor. 2:2). This is the one theme the Devil hates most (vv. 22-23). Why? Because by His death He defeated Satan (Hebrews 2:14).

  1. We can only follow the Christ of the Cross by the way of the Cross.

In vv. 24-25, not only was His suffering and death on the Cross the central thing in His life, but it is to be central in our lives. Thus, our Lord was saying to Peter, “Yes, the Cross for Me…” (v. 23), “and for you too…” (v. 24; Hebrews 13:12-13).

  • Conclusion: Have you come to terms with the way of the cross? It is your calling.