Daily Word Of God
Matthew 16:13-19
When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi he put this question to his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of man is?’ And they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’
‘But you,’ he said, ‘who do you say I am?’ Then Simon Peter spoke up and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’
Jesus replied, ‘Simon son of Jonah, you are a blessed man! Because it was no human agency that revealed this to you but my Father in heaven. So I now say to you: You are Peter and on this rock I will build my community. And the gates of the underworld can never overpower it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of Heaven: whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven; whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’
Today's Pointers on God's Word
As you read the passage what words, phases or meanings caught your attention?
- It is a decisive moment for Peter when he made is his confession of faith in answer to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” In his affirmation of who Jesus is, Peter presents a new understanding of true discipleship.
- Jesus speaks of His Passion and Resurrection to His disciples. Thus, discipleship means to remain faithful to Christ daily, in spite of the crosses that come our way, and to live with the assurance of the promise of Eternal Life.
- If Jesus was to ask you today, “Will you walk the way of the Cross with me?” What would your answer be? Pray for the grace of courage and commitment to take up the Cross and follow Jesus to the very end.