Dave's Diary

Daily Reading: Matthew 16:18-20

In an astounding flash of God-given insight, Simon Peter made the breakthrough declaration to Jesus:

‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ (v.16)

The Jews had been expecting a “Messiah”, by which they meant a king so powerfully anointed by God that he would rescue them from every enemy and establish God’s kingdom in Israel again. But God had a far grander intention. So God did not merely raise up and anoint a human Messiah. Instead, the Son of God Himself came as the True Messiah. And suddenly the possibilities for the Kingdom were boundless.

There’s so much in this passage, but when I read it today it strikes me how, of all the ways God could have chosen to establish His Kingdom on earth through the Messiah, he chose to establish a Family. He declared:

“I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.” (v.18)

As the Son of God there was nothing beyond Jesus’ power and authority. It’s absolutely wondrous that when He brought His life-giving power to bear on humanity, He chose to do so in such a way as to create a Community of Faith (“My church”) with God as its Father, Jesus as its King, the Holy Spirit as its Life-Giver, and each human member as a child in the household of God and a sibling to all the others. He did not simply save individuals. He saved us to be His Family, the Church, together.

The Church is Jesus’ Kingdom-Family and our calling is to be this family in such a way as to bring Jesus great delight.

Lord Jesus, forgive me for ever considering my individual salvation to be the end of the story. Help me to see how you have called me to be part of Your Family, the Church. Show me the part You want me to play in Your Family, and empower me to step into that responsibility in such a way as to bring You great delight. Amen.