There have been a lot of interesting debates throughout the centuries about what Jesus was talking about when he said that “upon this rock, I will build my kingdom.” Roman Catholics have tended to think that the “rock” was Peter. It’s not a crazy argument. The name Peter comes from the same word as rock. Upon that idea, the Catholic Church have developed the primacy of the Bishop of Rome (the Pope), as Peter’s successor.
But I’ve always tended to see it another way. I think it was upon the confession of Christ as Lord that the Church is built upon. It’s through that confession that we have entrance into the Church and the Family of God.
I think that we’ve trivialized the statement some over the years though. When we say Jesus is Lord, it means we truly make Him the boss over our lives. Jesus says later in the passage we looked at today that whoever loses his life for His sake and the Gospel’s sake will find it. Making Jesus Lord is continually giving up our own interests, desires, and dreams for the same of Jesus and His message.
Here’s a question for you. You may have one day called Him Lord, but have you made Him Lord?
