Call To Discipleship

Last week Peter made the declaration that every convert to Christ declares, the foundation of everything we believe — The Messiah Son of The Living God

Peter is the one who states what everyone is thinking.

In his narrative through the gospels we see fluctuations in his faith

Walking to sinking on the water

His declaration concerning Jesus to denying Jesus when he was on trial

I wonder if the same oils be said of us?

Last week this tremendous declaration of faith in who Jesus was, now Jesus must rebuke him for what he says.

Matthew 16:21–28 NIV

21 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, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” 24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 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 to what they have done. 28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

This is the word of God…

How Little They knew

Jesus is trying to prepare His disciples for His pending death.

The statement of Peter reveals how little he and the others really knew of the mission of the Messiah.

I don’t think he is the only one who struggled with the statement — Judas

The imagery is striking Jesus turns to Peter and confronts him — Matthew 16:23

Matthew 16:23 NIV

23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Maybe there are two things happening here:

Peter is pulling at Jesus heart strings — Develop

He rebukes Satan for trying to put a stumbling block

This is a sharp reminder for Peter to remember.

By saying this Jesus was removing a stumbling block

By using the name Satan Jesus was completely rejecting the suggestion of Peter.

The death of Jesus was central to Gos’a plan

A Call to Discipleship

What is interesting is this actually serves as a call to discipleship.

Perhaps Peter was giving in to his desire that Jesus not ever leave him — Develop

To be a disciple is to empty yourself

Better to give up everything than be on the wrong side of the resurrection

Some of disciples would be witnesses to the power of the resurrection.

Not all of them though — Judas

“Perhaps a more general reference not referring simply to the resurrection, Pentecost, etc, but to the manifestation of Christ’s Kingly reign.” — Expositors Bible Commentary

After Pentecost there was a rapid multiplication of disciples and the mission to the Gentiles.

Some standing there would see the proclamation of the gospel throughout the Roman Empire — Judas and James the brother of John

Living Like a Disciple

Matthew 16:24 NIV

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.

A disciple has given their life to Christ — Whole Life on the altar Romans 12:1.

Matthew 16:25 NIV

25 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.

When this life is over and judgment comes there will be reward or punishment for where we placed out life — self or Christ

Matthew 16:26 NIV

26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?

It is a decision that requires weighing the value, the most precious thing you have is your soul

Matthew 16:27 NIV

27 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 to what they have done.

Will we receive reward or punishment based upon our life

Matthew 16:28 NIV

28 “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

A promise to them to witness the coming of the Kingdom in the immediate future to which Peter will open Acts 2 (Pentecost) Acts 10 (Gentiles)

Conclusion

The passage should cause us to reflect when Christ comes where will we be found?

Have we given our life to Christ wholly?

Are we still trying to live life our way? — Self

Do we want to life our life like Jesus would? — Given to Christ