Page:Meditations For Every Day In The Year.djvu/409

 say that  I  am?"  He  proposes  this  question  to  His apostles,  because  they  had  long  been  brought  up  in  His school,  and  therefore,  ought  to  know  much  more  of  their Master  than  the  rest  of  mankind.  "  Simon  Peter,  answered and  said,  Thou  art  Christ,  the  Son  of  the  living God." Not  the  Son  of  the  living  God  by  adoption  as others  are.  but  by  nature  and  essence  the  true  Messias and  Saviour  of  the  world.  Rejoice  at  the  divinity  of  your  . Saviour  and  Lord,  and  excite  yourself  both  to  confess  ' Him  in  your  thoughts  and  actions,  and  to  bring  others to  His  knowledge  and  service;  say  with  the  Psalmist,  "  I will  declare  Thy  name  to  my  brethren."    (Ps.  xxi.  23.)

I. When  Peter  had  made  this  signal  profession  of faith,  Christ  said  to  him,  "  Blessed  art  thou,  Simon  Barjona,  because  flesh  and  blood  have  not  revealed  it  to thee,  but  My  Father  who  is  in  Heaven." (Matt. xiv.  17.) Jesus pronounces  Him  blessed,  because  to  know  Christ is the  foundation  of  a  happy  life. Simon signifies  the same as  obedient,  Barjona  the  son  of  a  dove  or  of  grace (as some  commentators  explain  the  passage). Be you therefore obedient,  and  with  dove-like  simplicity  endeavor to  comply  with  Divine  grace. Reject what  flesh and blood  say  to  the  contrary,  and  attend  to  the  inspirations of  your  heavenly  Father,  and  you  will  be  happy.

II. Consider the  reward,  which  Peter  received;  "  Thou art  Peter"  (which  in  the  language  that  Christ  spoke signified  a  rock),  "and  upon  this  rock  I  will  build  my Church,  and  the  gates  of  hell  shall  not  prevail  against