Easter 1

THREE THINGS JESUS TEACHES IN THIS TEXT:

1. The nature of mankind.

Matthew 16:21a FROM THAT TIME (Marks a turning point—final preparation begins) Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to JERUSALEM (1. Place prophesied by Zechariah. 2. God’s Presence in the Temple. 1 Kings 8:10-11 Glory of the Lord filled the house of the Lord)…Matthew 6:21b …and SUFFER MANY THINGS (rejection, beatings. Isaiah 53—Suffering Servant) from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and BE KILLED, and BE RAISED THE THIRD DAY (For a human king, this would be the end. For Jesus, death would be the beginning—raised to life). 

Matthew 16:22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to REBUKE Him (he sought to protect Jesus—having just confessed Him as the Christ), saying, “Far be it from You, Lord; THIS SHALL NOT HAPPEN TO YOU!” (Represents mankind’s limited view—do we limited Jesus’ impact on our life—this is why we trust God and His plan/will) 

Matthew 16:23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, SATAN! (Adversary) You are an OFFENSE (stumbling block) to Me, for you are not MINDFUL of the THINGS OF GOD, but the THINGS OF MEN.” (Not having the mind of Scripture or the Spirit. Jesus is pointing out the reason He must die, the carnal mind) 

THREE THINGS JESUS TEACHES IN THIS TEXT:

2. The nature of the cross.

Matthew 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone DESIRES to come after Me (strong feeling that leads to a God commitment), let him deny himself (pushing aside self-ambition to prioritize God), and TAKE UP his cross (cross is a metaphor for complete devotion), and FOLLOW ME (Let Jesus lead).

THREE THINGS JESUS TEACHES IN THIS TEXT:

3. The nature of God.

Matthew 16:25a For whoever DESIRES (A person can allow that strong feeling lead to self-commitment) to SAVE his life will LOSE it…

Self-preservation leads to self- destruction.

Matthew 16:25b-26 …but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what PROFIT is it to a man if he GAINS THE WHOLE WORLD, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in EXCHANGE for his soul? (Is there anything worth more than your soul?)

Self-denial leads to self-fulfillment.

Matthew 16:27 For the Son of Man will come in the glory of His Father with His angels (the hope we have), and then He will REWARD EACH ACCORDING TO HIS WORKS.

The way of the cross is for the present, the reward will come in the future.

Conclusion:

We see a God of mercy and love that reaches where we are and gives us the opportunity to follow Jesus!