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Who is Jesus, really? That's the question we've been thinking about this week on Things Unseen. And we've narrowed our focus to get a handle on the answer by reflecting on Simon Peter's answer to Jesus Question, who do you say I am? Remember, the first part of his answer was, you are the Christ. The second part of his answer was, you are the son of the living God. That's a striking description of God, isn't it? The living God. It's reminiscent of the divine name revealed to Moses. I am who I am, the one who is all life in himself and of himself. And so Peter makes this monumental confession. It's staggering, really. You are the son of the living God. Yesterday I suggested that when Peter said, you are the Christ, it may not have been a sudden thought, even if it was the first time he actually said it out loud. And the same may also be true of, you are the son of the living God. Because his brother Andrew may well have been at Jesus baptism and told them of the voice that spoke from heaven. You are my beloved son. Maybe Peter had been thinking about that for months. But even if he had, he needed to think even more deeply about it. Because soon, on the mount of transfiguration, he would hear for himself the very same voice saying, this is my beloved Son, with whom I am well pleased. Listen to him. It's really a reminder to us that it takes time for it to sink in who our Lord Jesus Christ really is. He is the Son of God. That's the testimony of the voice from heaven. It's the testimony of Simon Peter. It's the testimony of the apostle Paul, who once denied and rejected it. It's the testimony of the Gospels. It's the testimony of the letter to the Hebrews is the testimony of James and Jude, probably our Lord's half brothers, although they don't use that title. James calls him the Lord of Glory, and Jude refers to him four times as our Lord. Kurios, the word, the Greek version of the Old Testament always used to translate the great divine name Yahweh. Jesus is Lord because he is the Son of God. Did Peter fully understand what that meant? Well, the truth is that only our Lord himself understands all that it means. But Peter must have understood this. The Old Testament taught there is only one personal living God. But it also gives us various indications that there was something wonderfully mysterious about the Lord. He was one Lord who led his people through the wilderness. And yet Peter's Old Testament also told him that it was the messenger of God. The Malak Yahweh who did that. And then the prophet Isaiah also explains it was the Holy Spirit who did this. The Exodus was the work of the three who are one and the one who is three. And Peter must also have known the way. The second psalm promised that when the Messiah came, he would be the Son that God would set on his throne. And Isaiah had spoken of him as the wonderful counselor, the mighty God, the everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace. Now, Peter didn't yet fully understand, but these kaleidoscopic pieces of the Old Testament revelation were now all coming together in a single pattern that was becoming clear. And that pattern told him that the Jesus he knew was God's own son. It was God's own son who had come to be the promised prophet and priest and king. And beginning to see that clearly doesn't happen naturally. Not to Simon Peter, not to Sinclair Ferguson, not to you. But only when the Father opens our eyes through the ministry of the Spirit. And then when we say to Jesus, you're the Christ, the Son of the living God, we're not simply saying words, we're embracing him. We're trusting him as our God and as our Savior. I want to say again today, I hope you're able to say that, and it's true, but actually there's another title for Jesus mentioned in this story. It's not one that Peter uses, but I hope you'll join me tomorrow again and we'll talk about it then.
Podcast: Things Unseen with Sinclair B. Ferguson
Host: Ligonier Ministries
Episode Date: November 28, 2024
In this episode, Sinclair B. Ferguson continues his reflective exploration into the identity of Jesus, centering on Simon Peter’s profound confession: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” The discussion delves into what Peter’s words reveal about Jesus, how this understanding develops through Scripture, and what it means for believers to truly see Jesus for who He is. The episode emphasizes the necessity of spiritual sight—made possible by God’s work—to recognize Christ as the Son of the Living God, prophet, priest, and king.
On the weight of Peter's confession:
“It’s staggering, really. You are the Son of the living God.”
— Sinclair B. Ferguson, (00:27)
On the gradual deepening of faith:
“It takes time for it to sink in who our Lord Jesus Christ really is. He is the Son of God.”
— Sinclair B. Ferguson, (01:38)
On the testimony of Scripture:
“That’s the testimony of the voice from heaven. It’s the testimony of Simon Peter. It’s the testimony of the apostle Paul…It’s the testimony of the Gospels…”
— Sinclair B. Ferguson, (01:47-02:00)
On the mystery of the Trinity in the Old Testament:
“The Exodus was the work of the three who are one and the one who is three.”
— Sinclair B. Ferguson, (02:45)
On spiritual revelation:
“Beginning to see that clearly doesn’t happen naturally…only when the Father opens our eyes through the ministry of the Spirit.”
— Sinclair B. Ferguson, (03:20)
This episode thoughtfully unpacks Peter’s confession of Jesus’ true identity, weaving together scriptural testimony, the unfolding nature of faith, and the deep mystery of God’s triune being. Sinclair B. Ferguson emphasizes that recognizing Jesus as the Son of the living God is not just an intellectual assent, but a Spirit-given understanding that calls for embracing Him as Lord and Savior. The episode concludes with an invitation for personal reflection and hints at further exploration of Jesus’ titles in the next installment.