DIVINE INVESTMENTS

D. R. Freeman

Peter in Matthew 16 and 17 represents material that is of special value to the Lord. Not only did He have the Father’s revelation concerning: the Person of Christ and answer for the company to the question, “But ye, who do ye say that I am?”, but he merits the Lord’s severest rebuke in the section following, directing him to the path of discipleship, and suffering in which the Lord Himself led. Later he was to lose his life for Christ and find it. He would have his reward in the coming kingdom.

Though rebuked in chapter 16, he is selected foremost by the Lord in chapter 17 to be a witness of His glory on the mount of transfiguration. The Lord’s investment in Peter was fully justified at Pentecost and in his service which followed. As ‘Peter’, he was of the same material as the rock upon which the assembly, unassailable because of its foundation, was built. So it will remain, for none can assail the great work of Calvary and the risen Son of God. If the Lord must needs suffer, yet He would rise the third day and the whole counsel of the enemy would be overthrown. The assembly as built by Christ, not man, can never be conquered. We too, can have this full confidence that the Lord’s work is going through.

Kingston, Ont.