“For it pleased the Father that in Him all the fulness should dwell.” Colossians 1:19
There came a day in the ministry of Jesus, when He had come into the region of Caesarea Philippi, that He asked His disciples the question: “Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” (Matt. 16:13) The answers from the disciples were numerous: …John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. It is then that Jesus redirects His question, by confronting the disciples by saying: “But who do you say that I am?” It is Simon Peter who first responds by declaring: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” This is quite a statement, and one wonders how Peter of all people should be able to come to this concise, clear conclusion and conviction. Jesus answers that question by saying: “Blessed are you Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you.” (16:17) Jesus is revealing that it is not enough to be in His physical presence, and see His miracles, for many did this. However, when the Spirit of God, by the Father’s will, opens the eyes of the heart and mind to truly see beyond the physical to behold the works of God, and the Person of God in the flesh, there is a purpose. For Peter, that purpose is revealed by Jesus’ following statement: “And I also say too you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hell shall not prevail against it.” If Peter, by the grace and calling of God is to be instrumental in the building of Christ’s church, His living body on earth, to be born on the day of Pentecost after the resurrection of Christ, then Peter must have a vision of Christ that is exalted, elevated above all that is of men and this world. He must see Him as He is, though in a measured manner. Peter will declare that Jesus is the Christ, the Anointed One of God, chosen by God for the purpose of bringing salvation to all men. He will also see Him as the unique, beloved, blessed, and only begotten of God. In Peter’s eyes, the truth of Who Christ really was, is, and evermore shall be, will be the basis for all that is to come, with respect to Peter’s calling, and God’s eternal purpose. So what is this vision of Christ that the church, and every member of that living body, must have, if there is to be a radical change in the life when the Spirit takes the truth, and applies it to the soul?
We begin in the book of Hebrews, where the Author reveals to mankind that God has been speaking throughout the ages, “…at various times and in various ways,” and this “…to the fathers by the prophets.” However, now in “these last days” He spoken to us by His Son.” (v.1,2) Who truly is this Son of whom Scripture speaks, confirmed by the Father? We find that the Son is the appointed heir of all things, and that through Him the Father made all the worlds! The Apostle Paul puts it a little differently in his letter to the Colossians: “For by Him (Christ) all things were created that are in heaven and that are on earth…All things were created through Him and for Him.” (1:16) Not only is the Son Our Creator, with the Father and the Spirit, but the very Sustainer of all things, all things consisting in Him. But this is not all.
This Christ, of whom Peter spoke, is at the same time, “…the brightness of His (the Father’s) glory, and the express image of His person, upholding all things by the word of His power.” (Heb. 1:3) This One alone has revealed the invisible, and only true and living God to mankind for the purpose of purging the sins of men that they might be saved. This is the One who is NOW seated “…at the right hand of the Majesty on high.”
Dear Father, Reveal Thyself to us. In Jesus’ name. Amen.