What Jesus Did! 'My Father Showed You' — Matthew 16:17-19

Friday, August 4, 2017

Jesus answered, "You are blessed, Simon son of Jonah. No person taught you that. My Father in heaven showed you who I am. So I tell you, you are Peter. And I will build my church on this rock. The power of death will not be able to defeat my church. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. When you speak judgment here on earth, that judgment will be God's judgment. When you promise forgiveness here on earth, that forgiveness will be God's forgiveness."
— Matthew 16:17-19 NLT
Illustration of Matthew 16:17-19 NLT — My Father in heaven showed you who I am.

Key Thought

Why do you believe that Jesus is the Son of God?
What difference does it make if we don't call Jesus the "Christ"?
Where is the basis for the apostles' authority in the early church?
The answers to all of these questions and more are found in this one little passage. The apostles have authority because Jesus granted it to them. Their teaching about Jesus and authority to teach the Church are from God. Their insight is divinely driven.
We trust the apostles' witness, not just because they were eyewitnesses of Jesus' life and resurrection, but also because God has revealed the truth about Jesus to them. In a world that distrusts any authority and of diverse opinions, we are called to obey these teachings and recognize their authority because they are from God. So like the early Christians, we look to the authoritative word of Scripture to be our basis for authority as we are guided by the Holy Spirit to use it appropriately in our lives.

Today's Prayer

Father and King, thank you for revealing your will to human beings who could convey it in words we can understand. Thank you for taking average everyday men and women and making them vessels of your holy truth. Give me a heart that yearns for truth and a will that seeks to conform to your revealed will. I want you to be honored in my words and actions. In Jesus' name I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Ephesians 2:20-22
  • Matthew 11:25-27
  • Acts 2:42

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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