March 2, 2023

Matthew 16:15-19 (HCSB)
15 “But you,” He asked them, “who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God!” 17 And Jesus responded, “Simon son of Jonah, you are blessed because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father in heaven. 18 And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the forces of Hades will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth is already bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth is already loosed in heaven.”

Jason Ricciardi
I didn’t know it when I was young, but I had a praying grandma. My maternal grandma was a faithful woman that prayed for people around her. She prayed and things happened. She prayed for her husband’s salvation and he became a preacher! She prayed for my paternal grandpa’s salvation and he accepted Jesus six months before he died! She prayed for my dad’s salvation and he got saved Easter Sunday 2000.She even prayed for me! She was exceptionally faithful.

I love telling people about how she prayed because it’s a good picture of God’s love. However...HER faith couldn’t save ME–it had to be MY faith. In Matt. 16:13-14, Jesus asked Peter who OTHERS thought He was. In Matt 16:15, Jesus put Peter on the spot. It’s never enough to know that others believe in Jesus, He has to be the One YOU cling to!

I love what happens after Peter declared his faith in Jesus.... That simple declaration became the rock of foundation for our faith that beats down the gates of hell! Your faith can’t save others but just maybe your voice might be enough gospel for someone else to trust Jesus. Who can you share Jesus with?