July 2, 2025
Confessing the Faith - Part 3
Matthew 16:17
07/02/2025
17 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.''
(ESV)
Jesus asked His disciples, ``But who do you say that I am?''
Simon Peter replied, ``You are the Christ, the Son of the living
God.''
This is the proper confession of faith made by the Christian
Church. How can we make such a bold confession? Is this the
result of human logic, academic study, or scientific exploration?
Can we, who are by nature sinful and unclean, who fearfully run
from the mere mention of God, come to know the truth by our own
wisdom? If, in my sinful, selfish ways, I desire to be like God,
to replace God, how can I come to the conclusion confessed by
Peter?
``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.'''
The Holy Spirit works through the proclaimed Word of God to
create the faith which believes and confesses Jesus Christ as our
Redeemer from sin and death. Even something as simple as 120
seconds of air time on a small radio station in rural Minnesota
can proclaim to you the truth of Jesus. If this two minutes
causes you to ask questions, or if it causes you to call the
church to complain about the witness of the truth, the Holy
Spirit is causing you to learn of God's rich love, grace, and
mercy.
Our prayer is simple, that the Holy Spirit brings you the
comfort of knowing your sins are forgiven for the sake of the
holy, precious blood and innocent suffering and death of our
Savior.
May our Lord grant us faith to believe the Gospel, and to
confess the truth with Saint Peter, ``You are the Christ, the Son
of the living God.'' Amen.