It is very clear that the Apostle Peter had great hopes for Jesus’ future. When Jesus was traveling with his friends up north to a place called Caesarea Philippi, he asked the question, “Who do people say that I am?” Several of the disciples answered by saying what they had heard from various people who had listened to Jesus. “John the Baptist,” said one. “Elijah,” said another. Others said that some people were calling him a prophet and so on.

            It was then Jesus put the question to the disciples themselves. “But who do you say that I am?” It was Peter who volunteered the answer, “You are the Messiah,” he said.

            Jesus did not deny it, but he asked them “not to tell anyone” at that time. In fact, Mark writes that Jesus “sternly ordered them not to tell anyone.” Apparently, Jesus decided that who he was and what he was about should wait to be revealed as more of his future unfolded. The revelation would come in God’s good time, not immediately.

            Peter obviously had some ideas about what he himself wanted to take place ... and soon. If Jesus was indeed the Messiah, then Peter could envision the Lord beginning to make major moves toward showing his Messiahship. No doubt Peter wanted him to assume the role of God’s Anointed, and become the powerful leader of the Jews. He surely felt that the Messiah would drive out the oppressive Romans then ruling the Promised Land. The Messiah would defeat all enemies of the Jews, would provide justice in the land and the general welfare of the Jewish nation. Peter envisioned a great and glorious future for Jesus the Messiah, the person to whom he had attached himself and for whom he had left family, home and work.

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