Number 16:7 And put fire therein, and put incense in them before the Lord to morrow: and it shall be that the man whom the Lord doth choose, he shall be holy: ye take too much upon you, ye sons of Levi.

Here is an Old Testament application that fits so well into this modern church age that those who are guilty of it will deny it violently. They will shun the truth and point to the massive responsibilities they have in their ministry. Massive responsibilities they do have because they are holding together what they have built and not what the Lord has built.

It was within the history of Israel, the Levite who did not receive an inheritance of the land. Their portion was the Lord. Hidden here within the scripture is the warning to those who serve the Lord. “You take too much.” Before you start thinking that I am talking about wealthy pastors living in multi-million dollar mansions, allow me to point out that is a symptom of the disease and not the disease itself.

Man has within his ability leadership skills and management skills. Man can build great cathedrals and give inspiring speeches and move men to follow after his example, but only God can choose who is called to be Holy.

Let me put it another way, if the Lord is my portion, how can I increase the Lord?

The increase is within the desires of flesh to have or show bigger, better, more and if I can do that, then I am proving myself worthy of my calling. Well it isn’t my calling, it’s the Lords, it is His call upon which we are asked to respond. The root of responsibility is respond.

The role of Levi is to serve God and let God be God.

Matthew 16:15b But whom say ye that I am?

How many names and titles are there for Jesus Christ? Let us be clear here, Christ itself is a title and not a name. Jesus of Nazareth is The Anointed One. But the telling of the names and titles for Jesus Christ goes way back deep into the Old Testament. There are over 200 names and titles credited by scholars which depict responsibilities and authorities. Captain of the Army of the Lord is one and if you want to argue the validity of that claim, I do not mind because there are so many others, some of which are unmistakable.

Consider this in light of all those names, Jesus is asking Peter personally to answer “Who am I?” This is personal, direct and chargeable. Peter’s answer at the time was perfect to the moment and consideration for the need of that answer.

Matthew 16:16b Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God.

Jesus was not yet the Savior of the world. All references of Savior in the Old Testament were in reference to the work to be done and not as if it had already been performed. That would come by means of the work of the Cross of Christ, His free will sacrifice and resurrection.

But what would have been Peter’s answer to that question after the resurrection? We do not know because Jesus had no need to ask Peter again.

John 21:15 So when they had dined, Jesus saith to Simon Peter, Simon, son of Jonas, lovest thou me more than these? He saith unto him, Yea, Lord; thou knowest that I love thee. He saith unto him, Feed my lambs.

Peter called Him Lord.

Now getting back to personal accountability, Jesus is asking you, “Who do you say I am?”