He Was Loyal in the Face of Tests - Loyal When Corrected

 Not long after that busy  time, Jesus led his apostles and some disciples on a long trek northward.  The snowcapped peak of Mount Hermon, at the northernmost limit of the Promised Land, was a times visible even from the blue waters of the Sea of Galilee.  Gradually, that mountain loomed higher as the group approaced, following the rising terrain up to the villages near Caesarea Philippi.  In this lovely setting, with a perspective over much of the Promised Land to the south, Jesus asked his followers an important question. 

"Who are these crowds saying that I am?" He wanted to know.  We can just imagine Peter looking into Jesus' keen eyes, sensing his Master's kindness and his powerful clear intelligence. Jesus was interested in the conclusions of his audiences were drawing from the popular misconceptions surrounding Jesus identity.  But Jesus wanted to know more.  Were his closest  followers making the same mistakes?  "You, though, who do you say I am"? he asked. - LUKE 9:18-20. 

Again Peter was quick to respond.  He put it into clear, bold words the conclusion tha thad formed in the hearts of many there.  "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God," he said.  We can imagine giving Jesus a smile of approval ashe commended him warmly.  Jesus reminded Peter that it was Jehovah God-not any man-who made this vital truthso plain to those with genuine faith.  Peter had been enabled to discern of the greatest truths Jehovah had yet revealed-the identity of the long-promised Messiah, or Christ. - Read  MATTHEW 16:16, 17. 

This Christ was the one called in ancient prophecy a stone that the builders would reject. (Psalms 118:22; Luke 20:17)   With such prophecies in mind,  Jesus revealed that  jehovah would establish a congregation on the very stone, or rock mass, that Peter had just identified.  Then he bestowed on Peter some very important privileges in that congreation. He did not give Peter primacy over the other apostles, as some have assumed,, but he gave him responsiblities. He gave Peter  "the keys of the kingdom." (Matthew 16:19) It would be Peter's  privilege to open the hope of entering God's Kingdom to three different fields of mankind-first to the Jews, then to the Samaritans, and finally to the Gentiles, or non-Jews. 

Next time: He Was Loyal in the Face of Tests - Loyal When Corrected -Conclusion 

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