We approximate this time is about one year before Jesus' crucifixion and there is little appreciation among the Pharisees and Sadducees as He did not meet their expectations wanting a utopia here below only following Him for bread and the miracles. As soon as Christ spoke of the heavenly Kingdom they left Him. They did not want to acknowledge He WAS the Son of God and His divinity! He elicits a confession from Peter which is directly opp...osite from the Pharisees and Sadducees....not earthly but Spiritual! And what do they say about Jesus TODAY? He IS THE SON OF GOD!
"Whom do men say that I am?" Jesus asks this question as a Master (or as a teacher does) to bring out a certain understanding and concept. He already knew being God obviously. No one disagreed that He was from Nazareth, or that He was the son of Mary...but when it came to His divinity no one could "buy it." They would use it for grounds for His crucifixion later on in fact. What Jesus elicits from Peter will be the whole heart and soul of the Church! Is it not the very confession that separates us and the Church?! Always the divinity of the Son of God! Some said a prophet. Some a man. Unbelief always balks at the Lord Jesus Christ as the Son of God! A question to the Jews but the same question TODAY. Ask this question at Christmas time as you see multiple manger scenes..."Who is this Baby?" Many things will be said but NEVER that He is the Son of God! Many even in the church world will laugh at this very fact. They will laugh you to scorn and bulk as well at His divinity.
Peter says He is the Prophet of God. Not just a prophet but the Word of God and CHIEF PROPHET and only High Priest and Eternal King. We in all of our life submit to His guidance by His Word and Spirit. A matter of the HEART and our LIVING! The Prophet of God who teaches us of salvation, who nailed Himself to the cross so we can submit ourselves to His Kingly rule. "Blessed thou Simon son of Jonah." Jesus uses a surname here showing that the discovery of God does NOT come through flesh and blood BUT the divinity of the Son of God who touches you! No one will ever believe unless God lays it upon their heart! Oh...we best do our part in being faithful...but it is "My Father who becomes YOUR Father after what I am going to do on the cross!"
This is my happiness. Not the happiness of this world but TRUE happiness! What is YOUR confession????
If you take this one confession away you have NOTHING. Jesus IS GOD! Your chief Prophet, Priest, and King who leads us and all His people to Heaven!!!
Peter believed this....do YOU?