flesh and blood

Matthew 16:17&18

"17 And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven.

18 And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it."

Never Underestimate GOD.  

We are in the Gospel of Matthew. Jesus asked His Disciples "Who do 'other people' say I am?" They thought Jesus was the reincarnation of one of the GREAT prophets! John the Baptizer. Elijah. Jeremiah. Or,  another prophet.

Then Jesus asked His Disciples "Who YOU think I Am?" Peter answered "Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God." The rules of the day, Scribes and Pharisees were all perplexed and unable to adequately answer this question. Now, an lowly fishermen PROVIDES the authoritative answer!

In today's verses we read Jesus's praise for Peter's answer; "And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for FLESH and BLOOD hath NOT revealed it unto thee, but My Father which is in heaven." The people of the Jewish community at this time were expecting the Messiah. Their hope was for the Messiah to have some of splendor and power to defeat the occupying Romans. This man, Jesus, standing with His Disciples showed no indications of being flashy, spectacular or even a threat to Rome. In SPITE of Jesus's lowly appearance,  His lack of resemblance to what Peter and all other Jews hoped for, expected and dreamed about, Peter somehow understood that his teacher and friend was the Messiah! Peter and the Disciples had been taught this by Jesus' miracles, His instructions, and by their experiences of God upon their minds. This was "revealed" to Peter. He knew something that was unknown or secret from many others.

This knowledge that Peter shared is a momentous occasion. This is the moment our beloved Church begins. Jesus continues; "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build My CHURCH; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." This is the FIRST use of the word "Church" or in the original Greek; "Ecclesia." Which means “assembly” or “congregation.” In Greek is has a political connotation as a assembly of free citizens, to which had judicial and legislative power, and from which aliens and slaves were excluded. Our English word seems to always conjure up the vision of a building. When Jesus spoke it was about the people. And, as Jesus prophesied "the gates of HELL shall NOT prevail against" His people!