Matthew 16
In many places of the four gospels, St Peter’s words meet corrections from Jesus. But today’s gospel passage is an exception. St Peter confesses his faith in Jesus by correctly identifying Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” while other people called Jesus with all wrong names.
How does this happen? How did St Peter have this insight? Jesus gives an explanation, saying “For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father in heaven.”
Then, my question is “how did God reveal this truth to St Peter?”
Before the Transfiguration, none of the four gospels nor tradition gives any hint that Peter received any vision or heard voices about the true identity of Jesus. Then, why did Jesus say God the Father revealed to Peter? Was there an episode of revelation that is not written in the gospels? Perhaps yes.
But when we review the context of this Peter’s confession, Jesus was asking what his disciples thought about him. Jesus was not checking or reminding of a previous event of revelation. He first asked what other people considered him. Then he asked who his disciples were regarding him. He was asking if they had any insight into his true identity. To this question, Peter told his thought. And Jesus confirmed Peter’s insight.
Then, how did Peter reach this truth? This is the mystery of faith and knowledge. Peter did not conclude by arguments or evidence or testimonies. His faith in Jesus, even if not perfect, shed light on the true identity of Jesus. That faith was not Peter’s work, but God’s gift. This is what Jesus meant by saying his Father in heaven had revealed to Peter. Faith, essentially God’s gift, brings us heavenly knowledge. As we all can testify, none of us merited faith by our efforts. And without this gift of faith, none of the knowledge of faith could be understood. We can boast of God for his work in us, but not of our faith or knowledge. If we can confess Jesus as our Lord, it is God’s generous gift.
