Who do you say I am?
Watch: Pastor Cam’s message entitled “Confession & Correction”, and then work through the following.
Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-23
Summary:
In Matthew 16:13-23, we encounter a powerful moment in Jesus’ ministry that highlights both the revelation of His identity and the challenge of truly following Him. As Jesus and His disciples travel to Caesarea Philippi—a place known for its devotion to false gods and the Roman emperor—He asks them, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” Their responses vary: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or another prophet. But then Jesus makes it personal: “Who do you say that I am?” Peter, in a moment of Spirit-led clarity, declares, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirms Peter’s confession, revealing that such understanding comes not from human reasoning but from divine revelation. He then proclaims that on this “rock” (the foundational truth of Jesus as the Messiah), He will build His church, and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.
This passage reminds us that recognizing Jesus for who He truly is requires more than knowledge—it demands faith. Like Peter, we are invited to see Jesus as the Christ, the One who saves and redeems. But do we live in alignment with that confession? Do our words, actions, and decisions reflect that Jesus is Lord over our lives?
Yet, the passage takes a surprising turn. Immediately after this declaration, Jesus begins to reveal that He must suffer, die, and be raised on the third day. Peter, still holding onto his own expectations of what the Messiah should be, rebukes Jesus: “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” In response, Jesus gives one of His strongest rebukes: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me.” What a contrast—Peter, who just moments before was praised for his faith, is now corrected for resisting God’s plan. This serves as a sobering reminder that our human nature often struggles with God's ways, especially when they involve suffering or sacrifice.
Like Peter, we sometimes want to follow Jesus on our own terms. We accept Him as Savior but resist when His plans challenge our comfort, security, or understanding. Jesus’ rebuke teaches us that anything contrary to God’s will—even if it comes from good intentions—can become a stumbling block. True discipleship requires trust, surrender, and alignment with God’s greater plan, even when it doesn’t match our expectations.
Key Scriptures: Matthew 16:13-23; 1 John 4:15; 1 Corinthians 2:9-10; 1 Peter 2:4-6; 1 Corinthians 3:11; 1 Peter 2:24; 2 Corinthians 5:21
Discussion Questions:
Who do you say Jesus is? How does your life reflect that confession?
Why do you think Peter was able to recognize Jesus as the Christ but struggled with the idea of His suffering?
In what ways do we, like Peter, sometimes try to shape Jesus into our own expectations?
How can we learn to trust God's plan, even when it includes hardship or suffering?
What does it mean for the "gates of hell" to not prevail against the Church, and how does that encourage us today?
Personal Application:
Examine Your Confession – Take time to reflect on who Jesus is in your life. Does your daily walk reflect Him as Lord?
Surrender Your Expectations – Ask God to reveal any areas where you are resisting His plan because it doesn’t align with your own desires.
Trust in God's Plan – When challenges arise, remember that God's ways are higher than ours. Pray for faith to trust Him fully.
Live as a Witness – Just as Peter’s confession was bold, seek ways to proclaim Jesus openly through your words and actions.
Embrace Growth Through Correction – When God corrects you, receive it with humility, knowing that He is shaping you into a stronger disciple.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father,
Thank You for revealing the truth of who Jesus is—the Christ, the Son of the living God. I confess that You are Lord over my life, and I ask for the faith to trust You completely. Help me to surrender my own expectations and follow You, even when the path is difficult or unclear. Like Peter, I know there will be moments when I fall short, but I pray that Your Spirit will guide me back to Your truth.
Lord, align my heart with Your will. Teach me to embrace correction, to trust in Your perfect plan, and to boldly proclaim Your name. Strengthen me to stand firm in faith, knowing that nothing—neither suffering, opposition, nor my own fears—can prevail against what You are building.
Thank You for Your love, grace, and patience. May my life reflect the confession that Jesus is Lord, and may I walk in obedience to You each day.
In Jesus’ name, Amen.
