All signs point to Jesus: A journey through the book of Matthew, chapter 16

 

CHAPTER 16

This week, I’ve placed my short commentary at the end of the answers to the questions. Again, try answering questions on your own before jumping to the answers. 

QUESTIONS 

Why did Jesus’ enemies demand these spectacular signs when He was healing great multitudes of people right before their eyes?

What was the subtle influence Jesus was warning against?

Why is this moment of Peter’s confession a high point and pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry?

Why was Jesus so harsh to call Peter “Satan”?

Why does taking up our cross and following Jesus require denying ourselves?

The Pharisees and Sadducees demand powerful signs of Jesus.

Read 16:1–4.

© 2019 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®.

Q 86:

A 86:

Why did Jesus’ enemies demand these spectacular signs when He was healing great multitudes of people right before their eyes?

They were driven by unbelief. They refused to see the miracles

all around them. Instead, they demanded to see a spectacular

sign in the heavens. But miracles don’t create faith. The only sign Jesus would show them would be His cross and resurrection. Still many of them would refuse to believe when that great, spectacular miracle took place.

Jesus warns His disciples to beware of the subtle influence of the Pharisees and Sadducees.

Read 16:5–12.

Q 87:

A 87:

What was the subtle influence Jesus was warning against?

The Jewish leaders were skeptical about Jesus. That skepticism colored everything they did. They demanded signs of Jesus, yet missed thousands of signs God was showing them in the miracles Jesus was performing. The Messiah was here bringing the kingdom of God, yet they were entirely missing it because of their stiff- necked, narrow-minded, skeptical attitude.

Jesus asks His disciples who they think He is.

Read 16:13–20.

Q 88:

A 88:

Why is this moment of Peter’s confession a high point and pivotal moment in Jesus’ ministry?

All of Jesus’ miracles up to this point—healings, miraculous catches of fish, stilling storms, multiplying bread and fish, driving out demons, raising the dead—all of these were for the purpose of convincing the Twelve that He is the promised Messiah. Now that the Holy Spirit has led them to make this confession, Jesus can teach them why He came—the great mission of salvation He was undertaking.

THE SUFFERING, DEATH, AND RESURRECTION OF JESUS CHRIST FOR ISRAEL AND ALL PEOPLE (16:21–28:20)

Now that Peter has confessed Jesus’ true identity on behalf of the Twelve, Jesus turns to the cross.

JESUS APPROACHES JERUSALEM, WHERE HE WILL SUFFER,

DIE, AND BE RAISED

Jesus first announces His coming suffering, death, and resurrection to His Twelve.

Read 16:21–23.

Q 89:

A 89:

Why was Jesus so harsh to call Peter “Satan”?

Jewish thoughts and hopes about the Messiah certainly did not include suffering and death. Jesus could have gently corrected Peter, but among the Twelve those mistaken notions of the Messiah setting up an earthly kingdom ran deep, and stood in the way of understanding His mission and theirs. Jesus felt it was necessary to stop that thought in its tracks.

Jesus calls His followers to take up their crosses and follow Him to everlasting life.

Read 16:24–28.

Q 90:

A 90:

Why does taking up our cross and following Jesus require denying ourselves?

None of us wants to willingly face insults, opposition, persecution, and disgrace. If our entire focus is our self—protecting our reputation, impressing others, having millions of “likes”—we

will not be able to follow where Jesus is leading and be a fruitful disciple. If we choose ourself over Christ, we not only risk Jesus’ stern judgment and the sentence of eternal hell; we also risk losing the glorious eternal life with Him that makes this earthly life pale in comparison.

© 2019 Concordia Publishing House. Scripture: ESV®.

In this chapter, we see Jesus mention church and what that means. We also see Jesus start to share with his disciples the whole significance of his mission. 

What exactly is the church? And why would Jesus mention it here. He mentions it only after Peter says, he knows Jesus to be the Messiah.  The Exposition commentary  explains it as the church to be a community of people who know Jesus intimately, proclaim Jesus confidently and obey Jesus sacrificially. It is important to note that the church is a community of believers that follow Jesus and not one person.  Jesus did not build the church on Peter and he is not the first pope.  Jesus says this rock. So what is this rock? The rock is Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah. 

Many churches today have missed this point by focusing their energies on who they can get through the door.  

When Jesus gives the keys, he is giving his authority to proclaim the gospel message. 

Now to follow Jesus and be a part of his church , we now suffer willingly and die to self.  As Jesus explains in v. 24-27 , we must take up our cross. 

After I became a Christian and professed my faith in Christ, life was not all hunky dory.  There were still struggles.  I still held on to my addictions as I wasn’t willing to deny myself.  It wasn’t until years later that I made the conscious decision to finally let go of those addictions and obey Jesus sacrificially.  And Jesus assures us in v. 28 that it is all worth it. Glory will follow the suffering. He will reward those that live for him. What is God calling you to surrender?