27/02/11

Whom say ye that I am?

Matthew 16:15 - He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?


This is one question when asked every Christian will jump putting they hand up to answer but yet there will be no Christian who will be able to give the full answer. Even after having a personal disclosure of Revelations from the Lord yet today I know that there is a lot more to know about Jesus and Who He is. Some of the things which I have been revealed of Him is beyond comprehension and shows how great He is and is His sacrifice, His love. One of these I tried to share with a brother who was quiet Word rooted yet was not able to receive so stumbled at it.

God reveals Himself to us as we prepare our hearts to receive Him. What is interesting is where Jesus asked this question?

The scriptures states in was on the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, this place was famous for a temple dedicated to the Greek god Pan. Herod had build a great marble temple for this god even though he had also build the second temple for the Jews (which was again brought down in 70AD) in which the man who's hand was crushed (stone mason's hand / withered hand Matt 12:10) by the Jewish High Priest for working on a Sabbath day on the temple and at who's wall the Jews today worship.

In this place was a huge (still is) stone grotto from within which a giant spring originated. This spring previously indirectly but now directly feeds the Jordan River. This grotto was previously dedicated to Baal-Hermon but later during the Greek rule became a place dedicated to Pan. Grottos right from the beginning (from Genesis) were associated with Satan and his idols which were worshipped as gods by the heathens. Even though worldly the gods were changed with regards to this place but spiritually no change happened for both gods were associated with the underground and are the same. Next to the huge cave in the rock were niches where idols were placed just like the Catholic Church does specifically with their Mother Mary (goddess Ashtoreth) and their saints. In this cave human sacrifices were offered and still today spiritually people are killed by grottos which are replica of this temple of Pan having goddess Ashtoreth in them.

Jesus travelled a long way to stand before this rock temple so as to ask this question. You can now visualize Jesus standing before this huge rock temple and asking this question 'who do you say that I am?'

Now you have a choice to look at this rock temple (grotto) in the background or look at Jesus Christ who is the Head of the true Temple, of whom the Church is part of and in whom was the Spirit of God in fullness - the Spirit Who is the Rock on which the Church is build. Peter did not look at the rock temple but at Jesus and so the Spirit of God revealed to him a property of Who Jesus was.

But later Peter took pride in been the one through whom the revelation came and thus became prey to Satan to deny the dead and resurrection of Jesus. Peter's rebuking did not stop there but went further for he went through a spiritual rollercoaster ride with again a high for being one of the only three to be chosen to witness the Transfiguration of Jesus. This led to another rebuke when he spoke before hand about Jesus paying temple tax so Jesus sent him to fetch a fish from the sea from which mouth he found a gold coin to be paid as tax. History records this event in detail and it will just amaze you at what humiliation Peter went through to get that gold coin and how he again became a hero among the disciples.

It is only proper preparation of our hearts and right focus of our eyes that we will be revealed Who Jesus is. And as we come to know more of Him it shakes our lose foundations and high places and bring them to level with His Will - His Word.

Even today there is lot, lot more to know about Jesus and as we come to know more of Him we will become stronger inside and have more authority in His Name.


[ Prayer Starter ]
Lord, You are God and man cannot ever comprehend to know You. You desire that your children know You so You came as man Jesus in Whom your image existed. When man Adam sinned this image died in us and as we come to know You this image is born again in us. Lord, by your Spirit of Truth Whom we received through Jesus Christ prepare our hearts and train our eyes to be focused on You and so to know You. It is only by the knowledge of You that we have authority in your Name...

This prayer we make in your Mighty Name, Amen.


[ Reference Scripture ]
Matthew 16:13-15
13 When Jesus came into the coasts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, saying, Whom do men say that I the Son of man am?
14 And they said, Some say that thou art John the Baptist: some, Elias; and others, Jeremias, or one of the prophets.
15 He saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am?

Matthew 12:10-14
10 And, behold, there was a man which had his hand withered. And they asked him, saying, Is it lawful to heal on the sabbath days? that they might accuse him.
11 And he said unto them, What man shall there be among you, that shall have one sheep, and if it fall into a pit on the sabbath day, will he not lay hold on it, and lift it out?
12 How much then is a man better than a sheep? Wherefore it is lawful to do well on the sabbath days.
13 Then saith he to the man, Stretch forth thine hand. And he stretched it forth; and it was restored whole, like as the other.
14 Then the Pharisees went out, and held a council against him, how they might destroy him.

Matthew 16:21-23
21 From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day.
22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.
23 But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.

Matthew 17:1-6
1 And after six days Jesus taketh Peter, James, and John his brother, and bringeth them up into an high mountain apart,
2 And was transfigured before them: and his face did shine as the sun, and his raiment was white as the light.
3 And, behold, there appeared unto them Moses and Elias talking with him.
4 Then answered Peter, and said unto Jesus, Lord, it is good for us to be here: if thou wilt, let us make here three tabernacles; one for thee, and one for Moses, and one for Elias.
5 While he yet spake, behold, a bright cloud overshadowed them: and behold a voice out of the cloud, which said, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased; hear ye him.
6 And when the disciples heard it, they fell on their face, and were sore afraid.

Matthew 17:24-27
24 And when they were come to Capernaum, they that received tribute money came to Peter, and said, Doth not your master pay tribute?
25 He saith, Yes. And when he was come into the house, Jesus prevented him, saying, What thinkest thou, Simon? of whom do the kings of the earth take custom or tribute? of their own children, or of strangers?
26 Peter saith unto him, Of strangers. Jesus saith unto him, Then are the children free.
27 Notwithstanding, lest we should offend them, go thou to the sea, and cast an hook, and take up the fish that first cometh up; and when thou hast opened his mouth, thou shalt find a piece of money: that take, and give unto them for me and thee.

The Word of God was given free to us, therefore we should also share it freely with others. (All rights are with God)