LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
Peter's Confession
Near the end of his ministry, Jesus withdrew to a place near Mount Hermon, where the Jordan River rises. While there, he asked his disciples: "Who do men say that the Son of Man is?". And they informed him: "They say that you are John the Baptist, who has risen from the dead... you are Elijah... you are Jeremiah... or one of the prophets...".
The disciples had been with him for three years, and therefore they should know him better, so he asked them: "And you, who do you say that I am?". And Simon Peter said, "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God". Immediately, the Lord replied: "Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah, for flesh and blood did not reveal it to you, but my Father who is in heaven".
This is the greatest revelation in the entire universe: Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. As to his person, he is the Son of God; as for his work, he is the Christ, sent by God with the mission of saving men from eternal damnation. There is no greater revelation than this – that the Father reveals the Son to us. Without it, men can say that Jesus was a great man, but nothing more.
"These things have been written so that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in his name" (John 20:31). The men and women who have believed this, receive a new life, the life of our Lord Jesus and the Holy Spirit comes to dwell in them. They are made children of God and can call God, Father.
"If you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved" (Rom. 10:8-9).