“Now when Jesus came into the parts of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples
saying, ‘Who do men say that the Son of man is?’ And they said, Some say John
the Baptist; some, Elijah; and others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. He saith
unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou
art the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (Matt. 16:13-16). Jesus then said he
would build His church “on this rock” (Matt. 16:18). This rock is the fact that
Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God. Old Testament Israel “drank of that
spiritual Rock that followed them and that Rock was Christ” (I Cor. 10:4). Jesus
is the Stone which was rejected and has become the chief cornerstone (Acts 4:1).
The psalmist cried out, “Hear my cry, O God; Attend unto my prayer. From the
end of the earth will I call unto thee, when my heart is overwhelmed: Lead me to
the rock that is higher than I.” (Psalm 61:1-2).
JESUS IS HIGHER….Because of His deity. “In the beginning was the Word,
and the Word was with God, and the Word was God” (John 1:1). Jesus is before
all things (Col. 1:17). Jesus is fully man and fully God. “And they shall call his
name Immanuel; which is, being interpreted, God with us.” (Matt. 1:23b). He is
God with us.
JESUS IS HIGHER…. Because of His knowledge and wisdom. In Jesus are all
the treasures of wisdom and knowledge hidden (Col. 2;3). It was prophesied that
the spirit of wisdom and understanding would rest upon Him (Isa. 11:2).
JESUS IS HIGHER….Because of His power and authority. “And Jesus came to
them and spake unto them, saying, All authority hath been given unto me in
heaven and on earth.” (Matt. 28:18). Therefore Jesus was able to “subject all
things unto Himself” (Phil. 3:21).
JESUS IS HIGHER…..Because of His holiness. The just suffered for the unjust
(I Pet. 3:18). Jesus is High Priest who is holy, guileless, undefiled, separated from
sinners, and made higher than the heavens;” (Heb. 7:26).
JESUS IS HIGHER…..Because He is the only way to God. “Jesus saith unto
him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life: no one cometh unto the Father, but
by me.” (John 14:6). “Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other
name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved” (Acts 4:12).
BECAUSE JESUS IS HIGHER…..He can lift us up. Jesus invites us: “Come
unto me ye that labor and are heaven laden, and I will give you rest”. (Matt.
11:28). “In my Father’s house are many mansions; if it were not so, I would have
told you; for I go to prepare a place for you. And if I go and prepare a place for
you, I come again, and will receive you unto myself; that where I am there ye may
be also.”
In a world that is filled with Sin and Darkness may we ever cry out with the
Psalmist of old: …. “Lead me to the rock that is higher than I.”
Frank Briscoe