[:en]SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 16
“Be on guard against the yeasts of the Pharisees and Sadducees” (Matthew 16:6, 11)
“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me” (Matthew 16:24)
“What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul?” (Matthew 16:26)
THE DEMAND FOR A SIGN (vs. 1-4)
The Pharisees and Sadducees came and asked Jesus to show them a sign from heaven. They were expecting him to perform miracles like fire from heaven (Elijah) or bread from heaven (Moses). Instead, He mentioned about Jonah, referring to His death, burial and resurrection.
THE YEAST OF THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES (vs. 5-12)
When Jesus told the disciples to be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, they thought that Jesus was talking about bread which they forgot to bring. While they were discussing, Jesus rebuked them of their little faith. He reminded them about the miracle of 5,000 and the 4,000. He told them the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees refers to the spiritual things – the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees, which is their sad state.
PETER’S CONFESSION OF CHRIST (vs. 13-20)
Jesus asked His disciples: “Who do people say the Son of Man is? (v. 13). Their answers were: John the Baptist, Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the prophets. Then Jesus asked the disciples: “But about you? Who do you say I am?” Peter answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God” (v. 16). Jesus commended Peter saying: “Peter, on this rock I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven” (vs. 18-19)
JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH (vs. 21-28)
Jesus openly announced His coming suffering and death. Peter tried to hinder him, but Christ rebuked him. He taught them that the cost of following Him demands bearing the cross.
SUMMARY:
The Pharisees and Sadducees were discrediting Christ’s miracle which they considered signs upon the earth. They wanted a “sign from heaven”. Jesus refused their demand because they could only interpret physical and earthly things but not spiritual things.
When Jesus spoke about the “yeast”, He meant spiritually, but the disciples interpreted it as physical bread. They were worried because they forgot to bring the bread. Jesus rebuked their “little faith” for they have forgotten the miracles of the 5,000 and 4,000.
After Peter’s confession of who Jesus is, what Jesus said in verse 18 to 19 had become a debatable issue of the Roman Catholics and the Protestants. The Romanists claimed the office of the Pope and the power of the church to dispense grace.
- “ROCK” is Christ, the head of the church. The Old Testament spoke rock as God not man (Deut. 32:4, 15; Dan. 2:45; Ps. 18:2) and on this Rock (Petra, a large rock foundation), I will build my Church. (v. 18; 1 Cor. 10:4)
- “KEYS” – The keys mentioned here are not the keys to the church but the keys of the Kingdom. These keys are not keys to death or eternity. These “keys” are for Peter to use it to open the door of faith (Acts 14:27) to the Jews (Acts 2, the Samaritans (Acts 8) and the Gentiles (Acts 10). In other words, Peter was given the stewardship not lordship, for only Christ holds the key to heaven.
- “BINDING” AND “LOOSING” – This implies God’s word to be used for church discipline. The church is to obey what the heaven commands the church to do and not vice versa. There is no mention about Peter being designated as the Pope. It was Christ who builds the church.
When Jesus announced His death, Peter tried to protect Jesus by saying: “This shall never happen to you!” (v. 22). Why did Jesus rebuked him? Because he was tempting Jesus to detour form the cross, which is a stumbling block of his obedience to His Father. Instead, He taught His disciples the importance of the cross in the life of the believer. There every follower of Christ must expect persecution and suffering.[:]