Declared by Peter

February 14, 2010

Background Scripture: Matthew 16:13 – 27
Lesson Passage: Matthew 16:13 – 27

Today’s lesson is a continuation of the study of the recognition of Jesus as the Messiah in the Gentile regions. Although the setting of this lesson is outside of Jewish territory, it is, however, Peter who makes the confession of Jesus’ identity. It is of interest that Jesus would pose the question concerning the rumors of his identity to his disciples. It should also be noted that he did it while they traveled through Gentile rather than Jewish territory. He asked them, What are people saying about me or rather, who do they say that I am? Herod the tetrarch told his servants that Jesus was John the Baptist raised from the dead and the miracles were a result of his resurrection. Here, the disciples repeat that rumor in response to Jesus’ question. Other rumors suggested that Jesus was one of the prophets of the Old Testament who had not been heard from in hundreds of years. There didn’t appear to be any rumors that Jesus just might be a totally new prophet rather than a resurrected one from the past. Nevertheless, Jesus then made the question very personal and asked them who they thought he was. Again it is of note that Jesus would pose these questions to his disciples concerning the rumors about him. The second question is one that separates rumors or the opinions of others from personal belief. If one is going to follow Jesus you should have an inkling of who you think this person is that you are following. A person’s commitment to Jesus cannot be based on the rumors of others. Our level of commitment to and willingness to serve someone is based on what we think about the person. We cannot base those things on what others think about the person. Personal devotion and submission is according to personal belief and not popular opinion. Perhaps the underlying question that Jesus was posing to his disciples was, Why are you following me? Who do you think I am that would cause you to follow me? Is it because of what others say about me? Peter’s answer to the personal question came by way of revelation from God. Only God reveals Jesus’ true identity. Everyone who has come to believe in Jesus and put their trust in him to save them from their sin has done so because God opened up their understanding of Jesus’ identity. Peter’s answer was not the result of some fact-finding expedition or logical conclusion based on personal insight. God revealed Jesus’ identity to Peter. Jesus declared Peter to be blessed because of what God had shared with him. Then Jesus revealed a greater revelation to them at that point. It was the mystery of the church which had been hidden in God since before creation. Before God created a man he had provided a plan of salvation as a necessary provision because of man’s sin and subsequent separation from him. The church would have a foundation and one of those that would be instrumental in laying that foundation would be Peter. So Jesus did not call them to follow him just to witness the miracles he performed and for them to feel popular among their peers. They would be some of the architects of the church’s foundation. Their preaching would extend the invitation to whosoever will come to Christ for salvation. As exciting and confusing as this must have been to them, the greatest confusion was accepting the price that would be paid for it. Jesus Christ is indeed the son of God and Peter declared it.

Robert C. Hudson
February 2, 2010

Recognized in Gentile Territory

February 7, 2010

Background Scripture: Matthew 15:21 – 31; Mark 7:24 – 37
Lesson Passage: Matthew 15:21 – 31

In this Unit of Study, we examine Testimonies to Jesus as Messiah. This unit begins with Jesus’ ministry in the Gentile regions of Tyre and Sidon. In spite of his role as a Jewish Messiah, the Gentiles did not allow this to impede their determination to receive blessings from him.

In our lesson today, Jesus had entered into the coastal towns along the Mediterranean Sea. This was a distinctly Gentile territory that had never been settled by the Jews. Jesus had withdrawn from the area around the Sea of Galilee apparently for some rest. He entered into a house for some privacy but Mark records in his gospel account that he could not be hid. Put another way, the citizens there knew of his presence. The encounter that took place there is best understood when Matthew’s account of it is studied in conjunction with Mark’s account. Mark lets us know that it took place in a house and Jesus was apparently trying to have some down time since he did not want anyone to know he was there. As a Gentile woman cried unto Jesus for mercy, he did not respond to her. The lesson passage says that he answered her not a word. Jesus’ disciples appear to have become irritated with this woman and requested that he not ignore her but instead send her away from them. It was at the disciples’ request that Jesus responded. Jesus’ response made it clear that his ministry did not involve or include her since his ministry was to the lost Jews. Now that she had Jesus’ attention (that is to say that he was at least acknowledging her presence), she came and fell down at his feet and worshiped him and again made her request for help known to him. Jesus now responded to her with a metaphor. Metaphorically speaking, he said it is not right to take the children’s bread and throw it to the dogs. This is to suggest that when food is purposely prepared for children that you should not overlook their needs and throw the food away where it can be devoured by the dogs. This woman did not come up with her own metaphor. Instead, she worked within the bounds of Jesus’ metaphor. She said to Jesus you are right in what you said but even the dogs under the table are allowed the privilege of eating the crumbs that fall off the table onto the floor. In other words, if the children are not careful and appreciative of the blessings they receive, then what they waste will be gladly received by those who are underprivileged. (Remember, “Eat all the food on your plate because there are children in Africa starving.”?) Where children that are blessed with bread become unappreciative and allow some of it to crumble to the floor, then there are those in need who are willing to receive the blessing that they don’t appreciate. Note that this woman’s response settled the whole matter with Jesus. The scripture does not suggest that she saw herself as a dog but that she understood Jesus’ analogy. She did not challenge Jesus’ right to focus only on the Jews but she did understand that many of them didn’t really appreciate the blessings they were being offered. She didn’t ask to take away the Jews’ blessing. What she requested quite clearly was the blessing that they let slip from their hands and crumble to the floor. Although she was a Gentile, she still recognized Jesus as the Messiah.

Robert C. Hudson
January 28, 2010