Matthew chapter 16

There is a state in the United States called the "show me" state. The people in this area are known for not believing anything except it be shown to them. The Pharisees and the Sadducees were like this. They wanted Jesus to do specific acts for them to prove who He was. Jesus told them that adulterous and wicked generations seek signs. This is the second time that Jesus told them that He would be in the grave three days and night. Jesus said the sign that they would have is that of Jonah the prophet. Jonah was three days and nights in the belly of the fish. Jesus showed that He is the Son of God, the Messiah by being dead three days and three nights, and then God raised Him from hell. The blood of Jesus was accepted by God the Father and His blood cleanses us from sin.

Jesus spoke to His disciples to be aware of the teachings of the Pharisees and the Sadducees. There are teachings that would try to twist, pervert or bring doubt to the reliability of the Word of God. These are the teachings we are to be aware of. Do not let anyone convince you that Jesus is not the Son of God. Stay close to the Word of God. Study it and meditate on it, the Holy Spirit will reveal truth to you.

By revelation the Father told Peter that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah. When a person does not know Jesus, they may think He is a prophet, a teacher or a great man. When a person has a revelation of Jesus they know He is the Christ. If you think that Jesus is a good man, a prophet or just a person then that proves you have no revelation of Him. I encourage you to seek a revelation of Jesus as the Son of God, the Christ. Jesus told Peter that through revelation of who He is entitles us to the authority to speak and make changes in this world. Jesus said what we say whether to stop something or start something will be done. We must get the revelation of who we are in Christ. We have authority to change this world through the power of God in us. Jesus did not want the disciples to tell who He was at that time because it was not yet time for Him to be revealed. God had a time for His revealing.

Peter yielded to his emotions and tried to convince Jesus not to be crucified. Jesus responded to him with "get behind me satan for you are not concerned with the things of God, but the things of men." The same man who received a revelation from Father of who Jesus is was used to attempt to interfere with the plan of God. Things happen so quickly a person may be used by the enemy before they realize it. This lets us see that we are not to judge others. Jesus jerked Peter back to reality by His statement. Sometimes you may need to be jerked back to reality of your loyalty to Jesus. Again, our most valuable safety net is to stay close to Jesus. We stay close to Him through prayer, meditation on the Word of God, praying in the spirit and worship. Do not give the devil any place.

Jesus said those who will follow Him will have to deny themselves. When we give our lives to Jesus, He will instruct us by the Holy Spirit in making good decisions in our life. When we continue to try to make all our decisions without the help of God that is trying to save your own life. Receive the salvation that Jesus has already provided for you.

Jesus will come in the glory that the Father has given Him. He will reward us when He comes.