So he *does* admit it!

(I’m writing this on the 21 around midnight, but I have a lot of posts coming up so I time-shifted this to the 24th)

If you’ve read my blog long enough, you know that I believe in events transpiring when they should. In other words, God places things in our lives at the right time. If you call it luck, what is luck, but another name for God? You’re still ascribing it to an unexplainable force.

About 5 months ago I was reading an internet FAQ on Islam. Within the FAQ they stated that Jesus never claims to be the son of God in the Bible. Thus it’s ok for them to merely call him a prophet. Christians just assumed he was. I thought it over and since then I couldn’t think of one time that Jesus admitted he was God’s son. He speaks of the Son of Man in the third person throughout nearly the entire New Testament. A while back I remembered that at his trial he does not deny it when the Pharisees accuse him of claiming to be the Son of God and that this really gets their blood boiling. But I knew there had to be other times, didn’t there?

Today I decide to read Scripture. (And here’s where things tie into the top paragraph) My Bible is put away and I’m in the computer room so I decide to try the Linux program GnomeSword. A couple of Bible downloads later, I’m in the program. I don’t remember where I was in the physical Bible so I choose at random. I choose the International Standard Version and it appears they only have the New Testament. I pick Matthew and randomly pick chapter 16. The number’s been in my head a lot recently. And then I come upon this…..

Matthew 16:13-20: 13 When Jesus had come to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”

14 They said, “Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, and still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.

15 He said to them, “But who do you say I am?”

16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God!”

17 Then Jesus said to him, “How blessed are you, Simon, son of John! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven has. 18 I tell you that you are Peter, and it is on this rock that I will build my church, and the forces of hell will not overpower it. 19 I will give you the keys to the kingdom of heaven. Whatever you prohibit on earth will have been prohibited in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will have been permitted in heaven.”

20 Then he strictly ordered the disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ.

There’s just one part I have never understood, what is the meaning behind verse 20? There are other times such as when he exorcises demons that he tells people to keep their mouths shut. What gives? Has anyone out there ever asked their preacher/priest/sunday school teacher? Why all the hush-hush?

Anyway, I’m glad I at least found another example where he does indeed claim to be the Son of Man.