06/27/25 Revealed, Not Invented

Takeaway: Understanding that true knowledge of Jesus comes by revelation.

Opening Prayer (Friday)

God, as this week comes to a close, I ask for endurance to finish strong. Keep my heart steadfast, my mind focused on You, and my spirit at peace in Your presence. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

Reflection

There is a moment in Matthew 16 that changes everything. Peter, often impulsive and outspoken, suddenly speaks with clarity that exceeds his understanding, and probably human reasoning. When Jesus asks, “Who do you say that I am?”, Peter answers not with speculation, but with truth. Peter speaks from the heart cutting through the confusion of public opinion. “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” It is a stunning declaration! Yet Jesus’ response reveals something even more remarkable. Peter’s insight didn’t originate from within himself. It wasn’t the result of careful deduction or analysis. “Flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.” In other words, this knowledge can’t be  discovered by human effort; it was and is a true gift from God alone.

This truth should humble us. In a world that values human intellect, personal enlightenment, and self-constructed truth, Jesus reminds us that knowing Him rightly is not a matter of our brilliance, our background, or our personal search. It is an act of grace. Peter wasn’t smarter or holier than the others. He had simply been given a glimpse of heaven’s perspective. He had seen Jesus for who He truly is because the Father had opened that reality to him. This reminds us that faith isn’t about figuring God out like a puzzle; it’s about receiving a gift that we could never earn or discover on our own.

We must also recognize that the crowds surrounding Jesus had access to the same evidence Peter did. They heard the sermons, saw the miracles, and followed His footsteps. Yet many still saw Him as a prophet or a teacher; significant, yes, but not Savior. That distinction is critical. It’s possible to be around Jesus, to hear about Him, to appreciate Him, and still not truly know Him. What makes the difference? Jesus, God, the Holy Spirit. God wants to be known, and the Spirit of God makes the truth of Christ come alive in our heart. This is why we pray for eyes to see and ears to hear. This is why we don’t rely solely on apologetics, those clever arguments or well-polished presentations of reason hoping to draw people to Christ. Ultimately, it is God who opens the heart and unveils the truth.

And yet, this divine revelation invites a response. Peter’s confession is not passive. It is bold and it is personal. When God reveals who Jesus is, we are called to respond with faith. Revelation always demands a response. When God opens our eyes to see Jesus as the Christ, the Son of the living God, it is not just so we will admire Him, but so we will live for and through Him. We cannot be content with simply knowing about Jesus.

This revelation gives us confidence in our witness to others. If knowledge of Jesus is not something we manufacture, then our task is not to persuade but to simply point to the truth and witness to the gift Christ is. The Father is the one to reveal His Son to people. Our role is to just live and speak the truth faithfully, trusting in God.

Questions

Have you ever tried to ‘figure God out’ with your own reasoning or effort?

How does the idea that faith is a gift from God challenge or encourage you in your relationship with Jesus?

Application

Pray for specific people in your life, not merely that they would learn about Jesus, but that God would open their hearts to truly know Him. Let go of the pressure to be persuasive in your witness. Instead, focus on being faithful, present, and prayerful, trusting the Father to do what only He can do, reveal Himself.

Closing Prayer

Father in heaven, thank You for revealing Your Son to me. I confess that I cannot know You by my own strength, or wisdom. So, open my eyes to see Jesus for who He truly is, not as the world sees Him but as You have revealed Him. Deepen my faith and give me courage to live in response to Your truth. And as I share Christ with others, may I trust not in my words, but in Your Spirit. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

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