LIVING WATERS
For the proclamation of the Gospel and the edification of the Body of Christ
The Hour of Revelation (2)
Matthew 16:13-17.
The hour of revelation in Caesarea Philippi was the beginning of a new stage in the life of the Lord's disciples. That day not only did the Father make known to Peter who the Lord Jesus really was, but also the Lord himself gave another revelation to Peter.
The Father opens his heart so that Peter could look into it and see his beloved Son. Now, the Lord Jesus opens his own heart to show Peter what was in him. In the heart of the Father is his Son; In the heart of the Lord is his church. It was what had been hidden for centuries and ages, hidden from the wise and the knowledgeable. Now all that light is poured, unexpectedly, onto a handful of simple, surprised hearts.
The Lord Jesus says to Peter: "And I also say to you, that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of Hades will not prevail against it" (Matt. 16:18). The Lord speaks out of the abundance of his heart, and that is the church. Until now he had not touched on the subject; The disciples were not prepared to receive this light.
However, from this moment, the countdown to the cross begins. Here begins the great day that will end on the wood of Golgotha. And this day begins with the double revelation.
Gone is the time of learning in Galilee (remember that, according to Matthew's account, this revelation occurs immediately before leaving for Judea). Now he will establish his face to go up to Jerusalem. Everything we have experienced up to this point has been an easy road (although it was not) compared to what is to come. Along with the revelation of Christ and the church, comes the cross. The cross makes it possible for Jesus to be the Christ; The cross will make it possible for a group of men and women to be the church.
Now, how will the church be built? The first thing that is clear from the words of the Lord is their foundation. It has a firm foundation, which is Christ revealed and confessed by men. This revelation that the Father grants is of such value and quality that it becomes the cornerstone of God's building. It is not Peter, nor anything referring to men; but the Rock of ages, Jesus Christ.
The second thing is that, since its foundation is a Stone, the construction is also made of the same material. Peter himself in his first epistle states it clearly. Who more authorized than him to say it? "Coming to him, a living stone... you also, like living stones, be built up..." (2:4-5). Peter had the opportunity to preach himself as a stone, but he did not do it, because he well knew that he was not.
A wonderful building, with the firmest foundation, with the best quality stones, that is the church. If something that does not have this foundation, nor this quality of materials, and that is said to be a church, can it be?