When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” They replied, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter said in reply, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus said to him in reply, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father. And so I say to you, you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church, and the gates of the netherworld shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven; and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” (Mt 16:13-19)
The Jews of Jesus’ time expected a messiah. God would send an anointed one who would spearhead the movement of freedom from oppression and bring justice and peace to all. Nobody knew when and where this anointed would be born. There were many theories about him. Many saw him as a warrior king. Some saw him as one who would purify the temple and establish true worship. Still others believed that he would fulfil scriptures and bring God’s kingdom on earth.
The reply of the disciples tells us a good deal about the way Jesus was perceived by the people at large. The people did not perceive him as a gentle, mild and meek person who was going around comforting the people and blessing the children who were playing around him. He was perceived to be one of the prophets of either recent times (John the Baptist) or of the past (Jeremiah). These prophets, fearlessly, spoke against the wicked and were speaking God’s word to the people.
But the true knowledge of who Jesus was given only through revelation and this revelation was from god himself. As we say, faith is a gift of God, so also the right knowledge about Jesus is also a gift. Once this knowledge is give from God then neither this world nor the netherworld would have any power over that person. God’s revelation is perfect and nothing created would have any power over it.
