Matthew: Chapter 16
Chapter 16 records the Pharisees and Sadducees yet again asking Jesus for a sign to test him. Jesus once again says that the sign they would receive is the sign of Jonah. Also, knowing their hearts, Jesus comments how they are able to interpret the appearance of the sky, but not the signs of the times. Meaning that they are competent enough to observe and understand things, but yet they refuse to believe in Jesus despite all the miracles because of their unbelief.
..."When evening comes, you say, 'it will be fair weather, for the sky is red', and in the morning, 'today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.' You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. Matthew 16:2-3
Then Jesus left them and went away. He later warns his disciples against the "yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees", which is, the "teachings of Pharisees and Sadducees". Pharisees and Sadducees were supposed to be scholars who know the scriptures very well, and have taken the authority to teach others on their idea of life. But, for all their claims of being holy and pleasing God, they never recognized or wanted to recognize that Jesus was from God, and repent. Thus, their teachings were hypocritical and were focused towards their own recognition, honor and wellbeing. These are the teachings against which we should be on guard.
Peter's Confession of Christ
In contrast to others not recognizing Jesus as Christ, here we have Peter understanding this truth and boldly proclaiming it. This happens when they were in the region of Caesarea Philippi, and Jesus asks his disciples, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" (referring to himself). The disciples answer Jesus with the various things people say. Then, Jesus further asks to the disciples, "Who do you say I am?", to which Peter answers, "You are the Christ, the son of the living God". While this is very straightforward for us who have read the scripture, having this insight like Peter did, is quite special. Clearly, Peter had faith in Jesus, having observed all the same signs and miracles which the Pharisees and Sadducees missed. Jesus himself acknowledged how special this revelation Peter had is, by saying,
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. Matthew 16:17,18
Peter was not able to say what he said based on his understanding alone. It was because it was revealed to his open heart by the LORD. Peter also gets a special promise. On Peter, whose name means "rock", Jesus promised to build the church, and like he said, the church was built starting from Peter, both among the Jews and Gentiles, and the forces of evil hasn't and will not overcome it. Further, Jesus adds,
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. Matthew 16:19
While there are many different interpretations to this verse, the most general explanation is that, the authority to bring in people into the kingdom of heaven is given to us, and the church as a whole.
Jesus Predicts His Death
Having said all these, Jesus warned his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Christ. From that time on Jesus began to explain to 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 and on the third day be raised to life.
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| Jesus Predicts His Death |
The suffering and subsequent death of Jesus was necessary as an atonement for the sins of the whole world. This is why, we no longer sacrifice animals to atone for our misdeeds. Being raised on the third day to life, is the sign of Jonah which Jesus kept alluding to when he responded to the Pharisees and Sadducees. Jesus came to earth in order to fulfil all these, which was prophesied much earlier. But, when Jesus opened up to disciples about this, Peter had this response.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, "Never, Lord!" he said. "this shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me Satan! You are a stumbling-block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." Matthew 16:22,23
This is quite a turn for Peter, who was praised a few verses back, is now being scolded, and seemingly a bit too harshly. In fact, from Peter's perspective, the person whom he looks up to the most, is suddenly telling things which are hard to digest. If it so happens, then he'd loose Jesus, which is something he didn't want happening. By all accounts, Peter is like that very considerate friend, who doesn't want anyone to suffer, but misses the bigger picture. Thus, naturally, Jesus scolded Peter, in particular because he was still thinking the things of men, and not focusing on God's plan. Further, Jesus explains how things of God is different from things of men,
Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will loose it, but whoever looses 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 this angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. Matthew 16:24-27
This is the contrast between man's way and God's way. The world encourages each to fight the other to come up on top, and to do anything to save him/herself, but God's path is to deny self completely and to live purely to serve God's will. While it is easy to say, it is considerably harder to follow. The nature of flesh or the world, always creeps up on us. Besides this, the world might even say that there is no point to being "good" or living as God wishes. But Jesus points states that there is no point for someone to gain the whole world during his/her temporary sojourn on earth, only to never gain anything for the life eternal. Also, there is indeed a reward for our actions, which is another incentive (besides love) to do the will of the Father.
The importance of the soul is stressed subtle a lot in this chapter. Be it rewards, or damnation, on the day of Judgement, we'll know. Salvation of the soul is crucial to get the reward of eternal life.
To summarize, and taking this for ourselves, we need to be beware of ones who preach and teach for their own benefits. We are given authority by the Father, to use said authority, we need to be close to the Father, through Jesus Christ. God's way and man's way are quite different, always seek God's way. Deny self, be willing to pick up your cross to follow Christ, there is an eternal reward for us all in the end of our run. See you in the next one. Take care of yourself and each other!
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