Matthew 16:13-28

Matthew 16: 13 - 28

From the beginning of Jesus's Ministry Jesus has been guarded about who He was and His ultimate role. That changes now. The confession of Peter is a major turning point in the ministry of Jesus.

We all face the challenge Peter faced. On the one hand we are delighted to be a part of the Messianic community. It is the fulfillment of all of our fondest wishes. But we don't like the sacrifice that it demands. Jesus said He must go and die. Peter didn't like that and tried to find a different way. Jesus responded with a second declaration. In the first declaration Jesus said, "Peter, you are a rock and you're inspired by God". In the second declaration He said, "You are a stumbling block and are Satan". What is the difference? When we want the Messiah without the cross we have become Satan. “Take up the cross” may have been a metaphor for the disciples, but it was about to become very real. As the church distances itself from the cross it becomes weak and impotent. The cross is ours too. The weakness in my life as a disciple is in direct correlation to how much I want to save my life. On the spectrum of complete surrender to Christ at one end and having Jesus as my houseboy at the other end I find myself and that marks my discipleship. When I try to protect myself and my life from the cost of being a disciple, I put my true, eternal life at risk.

We wonder why the church has become a club and, in some cases, a nest for the demonic. It is because we have stopped preaching the cross, both the cross of Christ and our own cross as a disciple. We have thought that we can attract people to the good life. Jesus said nothing of the sort. He called us to come to Him, to take up a cross and to die.

"Lord, help me to every day take up my cross and die to my own life and live for You. AMEN"

Matthew 16:1-12

Matthew 16:1 - 12

Everywhere Jesus went someone wanted something; there was never a moment of rest. Jesus having gone and spent some time in areas with gentiles who responded well to His message returns and is met by people wanting a sign. A sign or proof that would always and forever remove the possibility of doubt was what they wanted. Jesus says that this kind of proof comes from an evil and adulterous generation. The motivation for signs is from an evil heart. Is it possible that the more like the Father we are the less we need signs to show us His will? We do not know His heart; therefore, we do not know His will. When I come to know the heart of God and have my heart conform to His, my will has broken and is ready to conform to His. I will be moved by what moves Him. Rather than ask, “What do you want me to do?” To the degree I know His heart I will know His will from my reshaped heart. But If I only vaguely and generally know the will of God do I really know His heart?

Am I in the same condition as the disciples. Jesus warns them about the leaven of the Pharisees and the Scribes and they didn't get it. Jesus' warning and the conclusion they reached were pretty distant. They thought that the leaven of the Pharisees and the scribes was the same as not having bread. It almost sounds like something from a Monty Python sketch. The inclination of their heart’s was to look at their natural needs. Why was this the first thing they thought about? It was first because it was in the forefront of their hearts and minds.

Jesus doesn't say what is the teaching of the Pharisees and Scribes. In some way it is related to the challenge for a sign in verse 1. In Mark 8:15, Jesus refers to the teachings of the Pharisees and Herod. These three had almost nothing in common. The only commonality they had was their attitude toward Jesus their attitude to signs. They all wanted signs and wonders but that attitude was linked to their wish to keep their power.

Do I ask for the signs or leading because my heart is not right with God? Am I living in fear of a wrong answer?

"Lord, help me have a heart of true repentance so that I may know Your will. AMEN"