Articles
Something Greater
One of the challenges Jesus faced during His ministry on earth was helping people understand who He really is and what He had come to accomplish for their eternal welfare. He was so much greater than they could imagine.
Referring to Himself He said, “. . . something greater than the temple is here. . . . . something greater than Jonah is here . . . . something greater than Solomon is here” (Matthew 12:6, 41, 42).
His purpose in saying this was not to exalt Himself but to emphasize what wonderful things God was accomplishing through Him for our benefit.
Jesus repeatedly showed Himself to be the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy (Luke 24:44-46). He claimed to be the light of the world, the only way to the Father, the truth, and the source of life (John 8:12; 14:6).
John the Baptist testified, “. . . he who is coming after me is mightier than I, whose sandals I am not worthy to carry . . . .” " And I have seen and have borne witness that this is the Son of God” (Matthew 3:11; John 1:34).
Peter, who still had much to learn about Jesus, was right in saying, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God” (John 6:68-69). On two other occasions he acknowledged Him as the Son of God” (Matthew 14:33; 16:16).
In time, Peter would be given evidence heaped upon evidence that Jesus is indeed everything He claims to be. Later Peter would be willing to forfeit his life in order to maintain his testimony to the truth of Jesus’ claims.
As the author of Hebrews says, Jesus is greater than the angels, greater than Moses, greater then Abraham, greater than the Levitical priesthood.
As our eternal High Priest, “. . . he is able to save to the uttermost those who draw near to God through him, since he always lives to make intercession for them” (Hebrews 7:25).
Peter’s question still stands, “Lord, to whom shall we go?”
