Matthew 16.AT 16{
Matt. 16:1. "The Pharisees also with the Sadducees came, and tempting, desired Him that He would show them a sign from heaven," plainly as John 1:5 says, "The light shineth in darkness; and the darkness comprehended it not." Though directly opposed to each other, the Pharisees and Sadducees unite in opposing the Lord, and the truth. At another time Herod and Pilate, at enmity with each other, join hands over Christ. (Luke 23:12.) Here self-righteousness and infidelity join hypocritically and ask a sign from heaven. How perverse the will of man is, and that after all the display of His goodness and grace that has been done before their eyes, in healing the sick and feeding the hungry. They could read the face of the sky, and see when fine or foul weather was coming. Why did they not read, in the Lord's presence and miracles, the promise of blessing to the needy? or why did they not read, in the condition of Israel at that moment, that an awful storm of judgment must soon fall upon them? Surely it was because their sin had blinded them, and the Lord tells them that they are a wicked and adulterous generation, for with all their profession of defending the law, they were hypocrites; serving themselves, mammon worshipers, covering up their awful sins. No sign could be given to them but the sign of the prophet Jonas. "And He left them and departed." The prophet Jonas was typical of death and resurrection. And at this point they lose the Christ.
Matt. 16:5-12, manifest the slowness of the disciples to enter into the thoughts of God. Living in things seen and temporal, they need explanations to get their minds to see the spiritual meaning of what was in the Lord's words, "Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees." The leaven of the Pharisees is self-righteous hypocrisy. They and we are in danger of it. If we know God, we know that in ourselves-in our flesh-good does not dwell; we have a heart that is, by nature, deceitful above all things and desperately wicked. The leaven of the Sadducees was infidelity-free-thinking-really unbelief of God and His Word. We cannot trust our own hearts. He that trusts his own heart is a fool. (Prov. 28:26.)We must believe God, His Word is true, His power is almighty. "Casting down imaginations, and every high thing that exalteth itself against the knowledge of God, and bringing into captivity every thought to the obedience of Christ." (2 Cor. 10:5.) "The shield of faith"-I believe God-quenches all the fiery darts of the wicked one. (Eph. 6:16.)
What a rebuke He gave them in reminding them of His feeding five thousand with the five loaves, and the four thousand with the seven loaves, and how many baskets of bread were left. Why should they think Him anxious about bread? He was seeking the good of their souls, to protect them from the evil doctrines that they failed to notice.
Matt. 16:13, A third form of unbelief appears when He asked His disciples, "Whom do men say that I, the Son of man, am?" Some say one thing, some another. Why are such differences seen? Simply because these people are indifferent. They have not felt the need of an object for their hearts; they have not had their consciences stirred; it is with them just a matter of opinion. The mind may work, but the conscience is not exercised. They do not feel the need of a Savior, and other things interest them as much, or perhaps more. Satan blinds the eyes with the things of time and sense. (2 Cor. 4:4.)
Matt. 16:15, "But whom do ye say that I am?" And Simon Peter answered and said, ''Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
This home question found an answer in Simon Peter's soul. He had felt his need and had found in the Person of the Lord Jesus that which met it; as he says at another time (John 6:68), "Lord, to whom shall we go? Thou hast the words of eternal life. And we believe and are sure that Thou art that Christ, the Son of the living God." He alone can satisfy the awakened conscience and heart. But how did Simon Peter know this one? It was a distinct revelation the Father gave him. Jesus answered, "Blessed art thou, Simon Bar-jona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven." It was not education, nor imagination, but revelation. And now the Lord speaks according to this revealed character, and gives him his new name. And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter (a stone) and upon this rock I will build My Church (assembly) and the gates of hell (hades) shall not prevail against it." Here the Lord tells us of what was to be recognized of Him on earth when Israel was set aside. "I will build," expresses intention. It began at Pentecost by the Holy Spirit coming down and uniting the disciples into one body. It was Christ's assembly, and built of living stones (1 Peter 2:5) on the Rock-Christ, the Son of the living God; the power of death-the gates of hades-could not prevail against it. Many individuals have been martyred for Christ, but the Church can never die. The Lord will come and take it home to share His heavenly glory: this is its destiny.
There were men of faith-saints all down through the ages of man's history-but not the Church of God. This is entirely new since Pentecost, after Christ was glorified at Pentecost, the Holy Spirit came upon the disciples (Acts 2) baptizing them into one body, uniting them together, and uniting them to Christ, the glorified Head in heaven. (1 Cor. 12:13.) Peter speaks of it as "living stones, built up a spiritual house" (1 Peter 2:5), but Paul unfolds the truth of the mystery of Christ and the Church, His body and His bride, for to Paul alone was it given to do so. (Eph. 3:4-10.) This verse in Matt. 16:18 is the first time the Church is mentioned in Scripture, and it is mentioned as a then future thing.
(To be continued.)