So, How Did Peter Know?

The Easter baskets are back up in the garage, you’re officially sick of egg salad, and your permission to eat too much chocolate has come to an abrupt halt. So, what did Easter really mean to you and me?

After my first article introducing this new section of the Village News, I have pondered and prayed a great deal about the direction of this section of the paper. What kept creeping into my mind was Peter’s answer to Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” And of course, Peter’s lightning quick response, “You are the Son of God” (Matthew 16:15-17).

The next line after Peter’s response is a real eye-catcher… Jesus said to him in reply: “Blessed are you, Simon, son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father” (Matthew 16:15-17). So, the Father revealed it to Peter. Interesting.

According to Philip Yancy in his book The Jesus I Never Knew, even though time itself is determined by Jesus (BC & AD), and over a third of the world’s population holds allegiance to him, Jesus spoke to fewer people than would fill just one of the many stadiums Billy Graham has filled, yet Jesus changed the world more than any other person in history.

Yancy goes on to say: “And yet I am not writing a book about Jesus because he is a great man who changed history. I am not tempted to write about Julius Caesar or the Chinese emperor who built the Great Wall. I am drawn to Jesus, irresistibly, because he positioned himself as the dividing point of life—my life—with the following quote: “I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God.” According to Jesus, what I think about him and how I respond will determine my destiny for all eternity.”

Simply put, our faith determines our eternity. Peter was given faith by the Father, and if we take that leap recognizing Jesus as the Son of God we too will have eternal life. We will walk in the light of the one who was foretold throughout the ages as the Son of God. So, if you are struggling, take a second and ask the Father to strengthen your faith. Then, you too will be able to proclaim with Peter, “You are the Son of God.” And living for eternity, my friend, is why faith matters!

I look forward to journeying with you as we continue to explore other aspects of faith. You are always welcome to contact me at [email protected]. I would love to hear your testimony, share apologetics, pray for you or calendar your church events. Make sure to note in the memo section of the email, Faith Matters… because it really does!