There came a point in his relationship with his disciples when Jesus wanted to know whether his friends truly understood who he was. Had the penny dropped yet? They had been with him for some time now: they had witnessed his healings and miracles, heard his amazing teaching and observed his powerful prayer life.

It was time to ask them the big question. Let’s read the account:

Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”  He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”  Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” 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.  And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.                                                                                                         Matthew 16: 13-19

“Okay, people are saying all sorts of things” he acknowledges

“But who do you say that I am?”

Questions are so helpful for bringing things to the surface.

             Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

At last!  The revelation of who he is was given to Peter. Note this did not come by analysing or clever thinking but from God the Father.  Peter thought, searched with an open heart, and  God opened his eyes to see who Jesus really was.

At last! Now Jesus could begin to reveal the Father’s plan to save a fallen mankind and change the world. And what a plan! What was it? What was the programme, the forward advance? Let’s see.

He said: And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.   v18

What was his master plan? It was to build his church. Made up of people called out from the world to follow him. These would, like Peter, tell others the good news of Jesus: his life, teachings, death, resurrection and glorification. This was his plan, his only plan to fulfil his mission on earth, and he put it into the hands of his followers – what a mandate we have!

In this series we will be exploring the vital place the local church has in Jesus’ heart and the vital role the local church has in making Jesus known to the community in which we live.

We will be considering what part each of us can play in making our church great for God