SCRIPTURE: MATTHEW 16
THE DEMAND FOR A SIGN (vs. 1-4)
The Pharisees and Sadducees wanted to test Jesus by asking him to show them a sign from heaven. But Jesus refused to give them any because they know how to interpret the appearance of the sky but cannot interpret the sign of the times. He knew that even there was a miracle on the sky would not convince them that He was the Messiah because they had decided not to believe in Him. Instead, he used the sign of Jonah to predict his death and resurrection. Jesus knew that miracles will never convince the skeptical. We have miracles recorded in the Old and New Testament, 2,000 years of church history and the witness of thousands. Do you still expect God to prove himself to you personally before you will believe? Jesus said: “Blessed are those who have not seen me and believe anyway.” (John 20:29)
THE YEAST OF THE PHARISEES AND SADDUCEES (vs. 5-12)
When Jesus told his disciples to be on guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees, they were thinking about the yeast of the bread. But what Jesus meant by the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees was their teachings.
PETER’S CONFESSION OF CHRIST (vs. 13-20)
When Jesus asked his disciples who the people think he is, his disciples replied: “Some says John the Baptist; other say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” (v. 14). But when Jesus asked Peter who is he, Peter answered: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” (v. 15). Jesus replied: “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and 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. 17-19)
JESUS PREDICTS HIS DEATH (vs. 21-285)
Jesus told his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed on the third day be raised to life. Peter took Jesus aside and said: This shall never happen to you!” (v. 22). But Jesus told Peter not to be a stumbling block to him because he did not know the things of God but only the things of men. Then Jesus said to disciples: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross ands follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it.. 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 ? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according tow hat he has done. I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” (vs. 24-28)
THOUGHTS:
People are aware of weather report but innocent about God’s word. By reading His Word, one will know what God is doing in this world. We should ask wisdom from God to understand his plan.
Yeast is an ingredient being put into bread to make it rise. It affects the whole dough. Jesus used yeast as an example how a small amount of evil can affect a large group of people. The false doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees were leading people astray. It appeared small and insignificant but it grows secretly and permeates everything. So be alert to detect what is wrong even how small it is.
Peter reminded Christians that they are the church built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets with Jesus Christ as the cornerstone. All believers are joined into the church by faith in Jesus Christ as Savior. Jesus praised Peter for his confession of faith. It is faith like Peter’s that is the foundation of Christ’s kingdom.
When Jesus predicted his death, Peter tried to protect him from the suffering. But Jesus’s suffering is necessary to save humanity. Sometimes, we have to have discernment on advice from friends who love us and tried to protect us from discomfort.
Crucifixion was a common Roman method of execution. Condemned criminals had to carry the cross through the streets to the execution site. Following Jesus may make us suffer the pain of shame and the risk of death. Therefore, real discipleship means real commitment – pledging our whole existence to God’s service with the real purpose of living.
There is a life after death. This life is just an introduction to eternity. How we live this brief span of time determines our eternal state. What we accumulate on earth has no eternal value. The highest honors we have cannot earn us entrance to heaven. So, evaluate your life-style from an eternal perspective and you will find your values and decisions changing. At the end, there will be final judgment by Jesus Christ. Everyone’s life will be reviewed and evaluated to determine the punishment or rewards.