DISCIPLESHIP
“And so I tell you, Peter; you are a rock and on this rock foundation, I will build my Church”.
Matthew 16:18
In John 1:40-42 We see that Andrew, Simon’s brother stayed with Jesus one night and said to Simon that he had found the Messiah. The next day he brought him to Jesus. Jesus looked at him and said “your name is Simon, but you will be called Cephas or Peter. Peter means Rock”.
In Mathew 16: 12-20 we see, that Jesus asked his disciples “Who do say the son of man is” Peter answered “You are Messiah the son of the living God”. Jesus said, “This truth did not come to you from any human being, but, it was given to you directly by my father in Heaven” and added “You are rock and on this rock foundation , I will build my Church and not even death will ever be able to over come you. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven. What you prohibit on earth will be prohibited in heaven and what you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven”.
The faith words of peter, who was senior among all his disciples, gave confidence to Jesus that His kingdom would be build up continuously after him. Jesus is the rock on which foundation laid by believers will grow as God’s Church. Jesus is the head stone on which His kingdom would be established.
The spiritual answer of Peter made Jesus Happy. Jesus is the rock. Peter by faith on Messiah laid the foundation which helped him to build up God’s Kingdom.
After the ascension of Jesus, Peter filled with holy Spirt Preached the gospel, with great power and healed the sick. He lead thousands of people towards Jesus and got them baptized too.
Before ascension to heaven, Jesus commanded his disciples “Go throughout the whole world and preach the gospel to all man kind. Who ever believes and is baptized will be saved and all His believers would be given the same power. ”They will drive out demons in my name. They will speak in strange tongues. They will place their hand on sick and people will get well”.
John 14:12 says, “Whoever believes in me will do what i do, he will do even greater things, because I am going to the father”.
Jesus wants every believer to do His work today. We by His Mercy are doing His work with the talents, he gave. Let us do with all our might and strength, So that, God’s name will be glorified
Amen
Sol.Babu Sebastian