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JESUS THE SAVING ROCK (II)
MONDAY, JUNE 23
Matthew 16:13-20

1 Corinthians 10:1-4

 

“…upon this rock

I will build my church…”

 

JESUS THE SAVING ROCK (II)
 
Jesus, not Peter, is the Rock. The Scriptures never called Peter Petra — a rock. As Jesus said, Peter was but a petros — a stone or pebble. Christ, according to the apostle Paul, is the Petra — the “Rock (Petra) was Christ” (1 Cor 10:4). Peter never referred to himself as petra, always petros. What is more is that Peter himself identified Jesus as the Petra — the Rock (Petra) of offence (1 Pet 2:8). This shows that Peter heard Jesus well and understood what He meant by the words, “upon this rock (Petra) I will build my Church.”
 
What is also significant is the fact that Jesus said those words in Caesarea Philippi which has the majestic snow-covered Mount Hermon looming nearby. It is quite possible that Jesus could be pointing to that mountain when He said “upon this rock.” In other words, just as Mount Hermon is unmoveable, so is the mountain Rock on which Jesus will build His Church. Peter had to be reminded that he was just a pebble lest he became conceited. But he would find his strength from what he knew about his Lord who is the Christ, the Son of the living God. He is that Bedrock on which the Church will stand. Peter as a pebble could be kicked around, but not Christ the Rock who is indestructible (Dan 2:44‑45; Luke 20:17‑18). Christ is the Church’s firm foundation. “For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ” (1 Cor 3:11). The Church is “built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone” (Eph 2:20). The foundation Rock of the Church is surely not Simon Peter, but Jesus Christ — the Messianic Prophet, Priest and King.
 
THOUGHT: “The Church’s one foundation is Jesus Christ her Lord.”

PRAYER: Father, Thou art the Rock on which I stand.

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