For 400 years God went silent.
After the ministry of Malachi, we have no record of any communication from God until John the Baptist. But as we move into the Gospels, there is a flurry of communication, centering on Jesus’ arrival.
- Zacharias receives a message from God through the angel, Gabriel, promising him a son – John the Baptist (Luke 1:8-20). Note that, because he doubted the message, the angel muted him until John was born.
- Gabriel visits Mary, informing her that she will be the mother of Jesus (Luke 1:26-38).
- An angel confirms to Joseph, Mary’s fiancé, that she hasn’t been unfaithful – Her child was conceived through the activity of the Holy Spirit (Matthew 1:19-25).
- Angels deliver the message of Christ’s birth to the Shepherds (Luke 2:8-14).
- The magi were warned by God not to return to Herod after visiting Jesus (Matthew 2:12).
- Joseph and Mary flee to Egypt with Jesus because of a warning delivered by an angel (Matthew 2:13). Later, they return to Israel at the prompting of angel (2:19). And then, after being warned by God in a dream, Joseph moves the family from Judea to Galilee (2:22).
- A devout man in Jerusalem, Simeon, learned through the Holy Spirit, that he would not die until he had seen The Christ (Luke 2:26).
While some of this communication was direct (e.g., Simeon), most of it was delivered by angels. Likewise, at Jesus resurrection, angels delivered messages to the disciples to help them understand what was happening (Matthew 28:1-7; Mark 16:1-8; Luke 24:1-10; John 20:11-13).
While these cases of communication were explicit and unmistakable, it was not the only communication occurring in the Gospels. Truth was also being communicated on a much more subtle level.
Critical truth. Truth you can’t afford to be wrong about.
Like who Jesus was.
The 1st Century residents of Palestine were divided on this issue. Some said he was John the Baptist, resurrected. Others – Elijah, or Jeremiah, or … one of the prophets.
All wrong.
But Peter got it right.
Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, He was asking His disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” And they said, “Some say John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; but still others, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets.” He *said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” Simon Peter answered, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. Matthew 16:13-17 (NAS95)
“You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”
Because of this understanding, Jesus calls Peter “blessed.” Not blessed in the sense of “fortunate” or “lucky.” Blessed because he did not learn this truth from humans. The Father revealed it to him. Peter was blessed in the sense that he had received direct communication from God, making Jesus true identity known to him.
Now, often I am a little envious of the things some of these guys get to do. Moses got to part the Red Sea. Elijah got to call fire down from heaven. Peter got to walk on water. All unique experiences.
But the communication Peter received revealing Jesus as the Christ is not unique to Peter. Consider Jesus’ words after John sends a delegation asking Jesus about His identity (Matthew 11:1-24):
At that time Jesus said, “I praise You, Father, Lord of heaven and earth, that You have hidden these things from the wise and intelligent and have revealed them to infants. Yes, Father, for this way was well-pleasing in Your sight. All things have been handed over to Me by My Father; and no one knows the Son except the Father; nor does anyone know the Father except the Son, and anyone to whom the Son wills to reveal Him.” Matthew 11:25-27 (NAS95)
The truth of Jesus’ identity is only known by those to whom the Father reveals it. And no one can know the Father except those to whom the Son makes Him known. Apart from revelation – divine communication – none of us can recognize Jesus as the Christ. None of us can have a relationship with the Father.
If you are a believer, it is because the Father has spoken to you about the Son. You have received direct communication from God. Just like Peter.
Let that sink in for a minute.
If you know that Jesus is the Christ, it is only because God has revealed that to you.
For many years, I believed the only communication we received from God was through His written Word.
But anybody can read His written Word.
Many have. Many who do not recognize Jesus as the Christ. The words recorded in Scripture are not enough for them to see His true identity.
The communication Jesus speaks about takes place on a deeper level, through direct revelation – direct communication – from the Father.
I could not identify Jesus as the Christ if the Father had not revealed it to me. My ideas about God’s communication were wrong.
God had spoken to me, and I didn’t realize it. I suspect that’s true for a lot of believers.
It seems to have been for Peter. Look back at Matthew 16:13-17. Jesus responds to Peter’s confession by telling him something he doesn’t seem to know – that Jesus identity was made known to him, not by men, but by the Father. Like me, Peter seemed unaware that God was the source of his insight.
This brings to mind two thoughts.
First, God’s communication to us can be so subtle that we don’t even recognize it as Him. How many other times do we fail to recognize His voice?
Second, our notion of “communication with God” may be too narrow. Especially if we believe that it basically involves our submission of requests which may be answered, “Yes,” “No,” or “Later.” How much are we missing out on?