THURSDAY September 1, 2022 

A Man in the Midst

 And in those days Peter stood up in the midst of the disciples (altogether the number of names was about a hundred and twenty)....
Acts 1:15 

Peter as an Apostle instantly took command among the believers gathered together. Back in Mathew 16, Jesus spoke to His disciple in Caesarea Philippi, where there was a huge wall of rock. There Jesus asked them a very important question: 

“Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?” So they said, “Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” (Matthew 16:13-15). 

Simon Peter answered and said, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus answered and said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades shall not prevail against it” (Matthew 16:16-18). 

When Jesus first met Simon, He gave him a new name: “You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas” (which is translated, A Stone) (John 1:42). The English name Peter in the Greek language is petros meaning “a rock or a stone.” 

Listen, Jesus revealed to Peter that he was petros, “a small stone.” The word rock in the Greek language is the word petra meaning “a massive rock.” Jesus is the massive stone on which the Church will be built. There is a marked distinction between the two words used. Jesus was saying He is building His Church on the massive Rock––on Himself. Jesus is the Rock, the Cornerstone of the Church. Peter is not the Pope. It is important not to have a false foundation of worship. Jesus is the Rock. 

As Christians we have become living stones built on the firm foundation of our faith––Jesus our Cornerstone (1 Peter 2:5-9). 

Christ as the Chief Cornerstone should determine the direction and design of our lives ... A life that is linked to Him will be enhanced and ennobled.
~Henry Gariepy~

For more from Raul Ries, please visit SomebodyLovesYou.com!