Upon this Rock...

Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do you say that I am?”

This is a question that everyone must answer for themselves. Who do you say that Jesus is?

At first the disciples tried to dodge the question by simply stating what other people thought. Some say you’re this, some say you’re that. Then Jesus asked them more directly, Who do YOU say that I am?

Peter answered, “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

Jesus responded in the affirmative, saying that flesh and blood had not revealed it to him, but God did. Then Jesus said something else: “And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.” (for entire passage, see Matthew 16:13-20)

Upon what rock? Peter? Revelation?

A common interpretation of this verse is that Jesus was referring to Peter as the rock upon which he would build his church. Roman Catholics have used the verse to justify their tradition that Peter was the first pope, and the claim that their church alone bears apostolic authority.

I grew up with the LDS interpretation that the rock was revelation. We explained this interpretation by focusing on the preceding verse (v. 17) which says “flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven.” Since we believed we were a church founded on direct revelation from God, we felt that the verse supported the sole authority of the LDS church.

As I have come to know Jesus through his word, the Bible, I believe that both of these interpretations are dangerously wrong. Of course, both Peter and revelation have their merits. But they are not the “rock” Jesus spoke of. Peter was an early Jesus-follower whose faithfulness to God provides important examples for believers today. Revelation is one of the spiritual gifts that God gives to his children (Ephesians 1:17), and without it I would not be a Christian today (read about my conversion story here: http://eph1-17.blogspot.ca/2013/05/a-journey-to-jesus-part-two.html). But again, neither of these things are the rock.

If not Peter and if not revelation, what “rock” is Jesus talking about?

The only Rock for me: Jesus

The Bible makes it clear, Jesus is the one and only Rock.

“And did all drink the same spiritual drink: for they drank of that spiritual Rock that followed them: and that Rock was Christ.” (1 Corinthians 10:4)

“He is the Rock, his work is perfect: for all his ways are judgment: a God of truth and without iniquity, just and right is he.” (Deuteronomy 32:4)

“The Lord is my rock, and my fortress, and my deliverer; my God, my strength, in whom I will trust; my buckler, and the horn of my salvation, and my high tower.” (Psalm 18:2)

“Truly my soul waiteth upon God: from him cometh my salvation. He only is my rock and my salvation; he is my defence; I shall not be greatly moved.” (Psalm 62:1-2)

“For other foundation can no man lay than that is laid, which is Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 3:11)

The only rock worth building a church on is Jesus. Indeed, the only rock worth building your life on is Jesus! Not men. Not a nice organization. Not even spiritual experiences. These all may look like lovely beach-front property right now, but be warned! They are shifting sand!

Jesus said that whoever hears him and follows his teachings is like a wise man who builds his house on a rock. Whoever relies on anything else is like a foolish man who builds his house on shifting sand. When the rains come down and floods come up, the house on the sand will fall. The house on the Rock will remain standing. (Matthew 7:24-27)

Revelation is only good if it points you to the Rock

Revelation is a wonderful gift from God. Yes, even modern-day revelation. But what does your revelation tell you about Jesus? I wrote about this concept in my last blog post (http://eph1-17.blogspot.ca/2014/07/have-you-had-spiritual-experiences.html), but it bears repeating. If your church claims to have modern-day revelation, but it is confused about Jesus (maybe it teaches that he is not God or he is one of many gods)… Get out of there! You’re on shifting sand, and that house is going to fall! You have to place your faith securely on solid ground, on the one and only Rock, Jesus Christ.

I’m not talking about joining a different church. Jesus’ church is not a single 501c-3 corporation with official membership cards. It’s the body of Christ, the body of believers. And Jesus built his church on his own teachings, centred upon himself. You can be part of THAT church, that true church which Jesus spoke of, by building your life on the Rock. I’m talking about going to God directly. Going right to the Rock and trusting in him alone. That’s how you become part of the true church. I’ve addressed this subject in other blog posts: http://eph1-17.blogspot.ca/2014/01/do-you-trust-jesus-or-church.html, and http://eph1-17.blogspot.ca/2013/08/adopted-by-god.html.

Peter knew that Jesus was the true Rock

When Peter was preaching, he never once pointed to himself and asked people to submit to his authority as some kind of pope figure who could absolve sins or something like that. Rather, like all true followers of Jesus, he pointed people to Jesus! Take for example the following passage in Acts in which Peter is preaching:

“[Jesus] is the stone which was set at nought of you builders, which is become the head of the corner. Neither is there salvation in any other: for there is none other name under heaven given among men, whereby we must be saved.” (Acts 4:10-12)

Time for some new spiritual real estate?

Have you been building a spiritual house on something besides Jesus? Perhaps you have used all the finest materials. Perhaps you made sure to have a beautiful view of the lake, and you’ve done some nice gardening and landscaping. Doesn’t matter. If you didn’t build on Jesus Christ, you will be in trouble when the floods come. Don’t hold on to that house, no matter how beautiful it is, no matter how much time and energy you have put into it, no matter how well it has served you in the past. If it is not built on Jesus, it will fall. Don’t be in the wrong house when the floods come, my friends.

As always, put your faith in Jesus Christ alone. There is no other foundation and no other name under heaven whereby we may be saved. Read your Bible and see what it says about Jesus! Start with the Gospel of John, chapter 1, verse 1. Please feel free to ask me if you have any questions, but most importantly, ask God to give you eyes to see and ears to hear. God bless you.