Matthew 16:13-20 ~ “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”"

Matthew 16:13-20


Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”

And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”

He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”

16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. 18 And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.”

Then he strictly charged the disciples to tell no one that he was the Christ.

Herod's Palace

What was Jesus telling about Himself, as Christ, to say, "Tell no one?"

Jesus was saying, that while we are completely transparent to God, who knows all of our thoughts - best and worst - He doesn't say "HEY, I'M THE MESSIAH!!! WHOO HOO OVER HERE!!!"

Jesus, instead, is Living doing His Father's work.


The Miracles of Jesus 
Jesus asked to be met in faith, as this:

Water made wine	Fill up the jars, look for the improbable, in hope	John 2:1-11.
Traders cast out of the temple	Righteousness above conformity.	John 2:13-17.
Nobleman's son healed	To believe without proof, sight unseen.	John 4:46-54.
First miraculous draught of fishes	Let down the nets, continue to work - with faith.	Lu 5:1-11.
Leper healed	Put forth your hand, try, even if it's hard to be self-revealing. They who sow in tears, will reap in Joy.	Mt 8:2-4; Mark 1:40-45; Lu 5:12-15.
Centurion's servant healed	Faith in the Word of God. God only needs to speak a Word for miracles.	Mt 8:5-13; Lu 7:1-10.
Widow's son raised to life	Self-control. Jesus didn't need hysterics. God rushes in during great need in this life.	Lu 7:11-17.
Demoniac healed	Be quiet. Discretion. Faith from Good Fruit.	Mr 1:21-28; Lu 4:31-37.
Peter's mother-in-law healed	Other's asked Jesus for Peter's mother. Intercessory prayer. Gratitude and service.	Mt 8:14, 15; Mr 1:29-31; Lu 4:38, 39.
Paralytic healed	Pick up the bed, go home. Put away the past, let go of illness, bring wellness to your home.	Mt 9:2-8; Mr 2:1-12; Lu 5:17-26.
Impotent man healed according to King James Version	Pick up the bed, go home. Put away the past, let go of illness, bring wellness to your home. 38 years of endurance with hope rewarded.	John 5:1-16.
Man with withered hand healed	Put your hand out in effort, even during distress and disagreement	Mt 12:10-14; Mr 3:1-6; Lu 6:6-11.
Blind and dumb demoniac healed	When misunderstood, to do as Psalm 23, be in good deeds. Goodness and mercy follow your footsteps in your path	Mt 12:22-24; Lu 11:14.
Tempest stilled	Going to God with full expectation in the most fierce of storms.	Mt 8:23-27; Mr 4:35-41; Lu 8:22-25.
Demoniacs dispossessed	Realizing strong bullies are pigs! With problems! And will come to the end of their path with no where to turn. Be angry, do not sin.	Mt 8:28-34; Mr 5:1-20.
Jairus' daughter raised to life	Jesus put aside His right to be a Temple ruler, and gave grace and mercy for the needed request from the fortunate.	Mt 9:18-26; Mr 5:22-24; Lu 8:41-56.
Issue of blood healed	Reaching past shame, asking Jesus.	Mt 9:18-26; Mr 5:22-24; Lu 8:41-56.
Two blind men restored to sight	Praying out loud in public. Asking the Lord Jesus.	Mt 9:27-31.
Dumb demoniac healed	Gratitude for answered prayer. Telling of the mercies of God.	Mt 9:32-34.
Five thousand miraculously fed	Giving God what you have. Sharing what is in your power to share. Expecting Him to provide.	Mt 14:13-21; Mr 6:31-44; Lu 9:10-17; John 6:5-14.
Jesus walks on the sea	Knowing God is God. We are not. Trusting on God to be righteous and our advocate.	Mt 14:22-33; Mr 6:45-52; John 6:15-21.
Syrophœnician's daughter healed	When God says no, to be humble and petition Him. Expect with prayer even small mercies. See, like David, if God will be willing to help more with gratitude of His favor.	Mt 15:21-28; Mr 7:24-30.
Deaf and dumb man healed	This miracle is a great indication of Personal Relationship with Jesus. Our Friend, Hero, Savior.  Be open to God.	Mr 7:31-37.
Four thousand fed	Seeing God puts His Hands into our Lives. Even the aroma of fish. That we might be fed. Our Father God.	Mt 15:32-39; Mr 8:1-9.
Blind man restored to sight	Walking with God by faith, unseeing of the path. Going a distance. Seeing modern medicine explained 2,000 years ago. A miracle for today's generation.	Mr 8:22-26.
Demoniac and lunatic boy healed	Long term prayers in extreme difficulty, sticking with faith. Asking God for more faith. Parenting even when it's difficult and embarrassing. Even when the ego would rather stay at home.	Mt 17:14-21; Mr 9:14-29; Lu 9:37-43.
Miraculous provision of tribute	When being ridiculed by a group, remaining faithful to God.	Mt 17:24-27.
The eyes of one born blind opened	Believing in spite of Trouble that God is for you and calls you as His own Child. Adversity is not your label.	John 9:1-41.
Woman, of eighteen years' infirmity, cured	Glorifying God when straightened out. It's a blessing to receive instruction from God.	Lu 13:10-17.
Dropsical man healed	Being set up not to win, in public, and still finding dignity in good.	Lu 14:1-6.
Ten lepers cleansed	Going past what is required, to be the one to find God. Retaining Gratitude.	Lu 17:11-19.
Lazarus raised to life	Going out to meet Jesus.	John 11:1-46.
Two blind beggars restored to sight	Imploring God for mercy in our unchangeable circumstance.	Mt 20:29-34; Mr 10:46-52; Lu 18:35-43.
Barren fig tree blighted	Asking God for fruit when we feel fruitless.	Mt 21:12, 13, 18, 19; Mr 11:12-24.
Buyers and sellers again cast out	Expect God to clean house.	Lu 19:45, 46.
Malchus' ear healed	In extreme circumstance, recall Jesus healed.	Mt 26:51-54; Mr 14:47-49; Lu 22:50, 51; John18:10,11.
Second draught of fishes	In total loss and finality, expect God to be there.	John 21:1-14.

Jesus didn't shrink from declaring His Kingship when he spoke to the Woman at the Well. 

Jesus told the Sanhedrin Council who He is.

Jesus did agree when the faithful found Him to be God.

Jesus, as God, Responds when people ask, seek, and knock. Usually, just as the life He gives us today - Jesus required people to feed, encourage, walk,  pray, be open to, reach higher, go further, be humble, dwell in Faith, Hope and Love.

We bring this into our homes, our honest conversations, any place we converse. This is where we truly are in Relationship to Him.

Father God, be my center. Let my life be for You, hold on to me and make me Your Child. Jesus, please, do this for the ones I love. I ask in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

♔ Lord Jesus Saves †

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