The Difficult Choice

I. An Odd Response to God’s truth. (16:21-23)

(21) The truth on what is coming

- Jesus explains that the plan is to go towards Jerusalem.

21 Ἀπὸ τότε ἤρξατο ὁ Ἰησοῦς δεικνύειν τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ ὅτι δεῖ αὐτὸν εἰς Ἱεροσόλυμα ἀπελθεῖν καὶ πολλὰ παθεῖν ἀπὸ τῶν πρεσβυτέρων καὶ ἀρχιερέων καὶ γραμματέων καὶ ἀποκτανθῆναι καὶ τῇ τρίτῃ ἡμέρᾳ ἐγερθῆναι.

From then Jesus began to show his disciples that it is necessary for him to come into Jerusalem and to suffer much from the elders and chief priests and scribes and to be put to death and to be raised the third day. 21 From that time Jesus began to show His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised up on the third day.

- Jesus explains that the plan is to go towards Jerusalem.

The phrase “from that time” was used earlier in 4:17 to signal the transition from the ministry of John the Baptist. “From that time Jesus began to preach and say, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand.” Here, I believe it is a transition for what is to come in Jesus’ suffering.

Most of Jesus’ ministry has been spent in Galilee and the regions nearby but now He must travel to Jerusalem.

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

Included in this mission to Jerusalem is that Jesus will have to experience sufferings from the elders and chief priests and scribes. The Jewish leadership’s view of Jesus had already become hostile and this wasn’t surprising that they would be the reason for suffering.

- Jesus includes the shocker that he would be put to death and be resurrected.

Not only will Jesus suffer but he will be killed. The implication would be clear to His disciples that death is the outcome of the sufferings.

Within the time frame of three days not only will Jesus be killed but He will be raised from the dead.

One thing that Jesus does when announcing His death was to also focus on the resurrection but this seems to be lost on the disciples because this is a paradigm shift for them.

The Message of Matthew The Messiah’s Contest and Sufferings (16:21–28)

As soon as Peter comes up with this confession of Jesus as Messiah and Son of God, Jesus makes it plain to him what sort of Messiah he is confessing. It is the Lord who stoops to conquer, one whose suffering transcends human imagining, and whose victory will outstrip any social or political dimensions.

(22) Peter’s knee jerk reaction

(22) Peter’s knee jerk reaction

- Peter attempts to talk with Jesus privately about this mission.

And Peter after taking him aside began to rebuke him saying be merciful to me, Lord and not to for this to you.

22 Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”

- Peter attempts to talk with Jesus privately about this mission.

We may be tempted to think that Peter and Jesus walked away from the group to talk but it is really the picture of speaking in a more private manner without leaving the group.

Peter wants to correct Jesus about the mission but doesn’t want to do it in a manner that shows disrespect.

Ironically, what Peter ends up doing is showing total disregard for Jesus’ mission by feeling the need to speak to Jesus about it (superiority).

- Peter’s proceeds to tell him that this must not happen.

Peter wasn’t politely disagreeing but was issuing a rebuke. This is the same word found earlier in “He *said to them, “Why are you afraid, you men of little faith?” Then He got up and rebuked the winds and the sea, and it became perfectly calm.”

The phrase “never Lord” or “God forbid” is in essence saying may God be merciful and spare you this.

Peter is emphatic that this will certainly not happen. In Peter’s mind, Jesus is somehow mistaken about His prediction because this isn’t the Messiah that Peter confessed.

I appreciate Leon Morris’ thoughts on this verse: “Peter has just given expression to the conviction that Jesus is the Messiah and has been praised by Jesus for this. He has seen something of Jesus’ greatness, and because he has seen that greatness it is inconceivable to him that Jesus would undergo the humiliation of which he has just spoken. For Peter it is unthinkable that the one he has just pronounced “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” should be rejected and killed. How could the Jewish nation reject the Jewish Messiah?”

applying truth in our lives...

> As John Walvoord said “"Like many modern readers of the Bible, Peter did not want to accept what did not agree with his hopes and ambitions."

> We cannot approach God’s truth about what He has revealed of Himself and His will and His commands by picking and choosing what goes along with us. Admitting our bias when reading Scripture will help us be more open when God shines truth into our hearts. Do me this favor: write down two things on the paper, in the margin of your Bible about what things you do or don’t want to hear about from God. (be honest… job, family, money, spiritual gifts, accountability, brokenness, pride, control, prayer, fellowship, openness, etc.) then… read through each week with an open eye to what might be said about those things.

(23) Jesus rebukes Peter

And turning around he said to Peter: depart before me, Satan. You are a scandal to me, because you don’t have your mind set on the things of God but the things of man.

23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

- Jesus turns around to address Peter and the disciples.

The Gospel of Mark adds this detail: “but turning around and seeing His disciples”

The nature of how Peter was talking with Jesus was to turn his back in a manner where they were side by side communicating. Jesus turned around to face Peter to address him but was also facing His disciples.

This address was for the benefit of the disciples as well as Peter.

> This address was for the benefit of the disciples as well as Peter.

- Jesus rebuke of Peter is forceful.

Jesus uses the term “Satan” which means adversary. There are two schools of thought here: one is that Jesus is recognizing Satan’s attempt to be a problem manipulating a disciple. Another sees that Peter is playing the role of the adversary in his suggestion. I personally see that Peter is playing the role of an adversary but it is ultimately Satan attempting to create temptation through one of Jesus’ own disciples.

“Get out of my way & get behind me” is the picture presented by the rebuke. Instead of being a stumbling block on the road like an adversary, get behind me and follow like a disciple.

Jesus identifies what is happening, this is a stumbling block similar to the manner of when Satan, himself, was tempting Jesus to sin before His ministry began. If Jesus doesn’t follow the will of the Father in His death and resurrection, then it would be a sin and render any reconciliation between God and man impossible.

- The issue that gets us all into trouble was where one’s interests lie either with self or with God.

There is a bigger picture developed in “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.”

Consider that the things of man are the corrupt desires & self seeking in opposition to God’s desires that fit in God’s design. Since Jesus doesn’t fit Peter’s view of what the Messiah should be doing, he tells the Son of God – No Way should you be suffering.

We must recognize in our life when we are living by man’s desires rather than God’s desires.

Since Jesus doesn’t fit Peter’s view of what the Messiah should be doing, he tells the Son of God – No Way

II. Good discipleship understands the true value of the spiritual life. (16:24-27)

(24) The continued teaching

- On the heels of this talk about Jesus suffering, He brings up discipleship.

24 Τότε ὁ Ἰησοῦς εἶπεν τοῖς μαθηταῖς αὐτοῦ· Εἴ τις θέλει ὀπίσω μου ἐλθεῖν, ἀπαρνησάσθω ἑαυτὸν καὶ ἀράτω τὸν σταυρὸν αὐτοῦ καὶ ἀκολουθείτω μοι.

Then Jesus said to his disciples if anyone desires to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow with me.

24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.

- On the heels of this talk about Jesus suffering, He brings up discipleship.

The language of walking after a person (“come after me”) is found in the language of discipleship.

There is a repetition of a word used in verse 23 for effect. Vs. 23 - ὀπίσω μου “behind me” (the rebuke for Peter to get behind Jesus & follow like a disciple) and here it is the same ὀπίσω μου translated “after me”. In a sense there will be two types that surround Jesus: those trying to be a stumbling block and others being a disciple of Jesus.

Peter thought he was acting like a disciple when he was acting in the opposite manner.

(the rebuke for Peter to get behind Jesus & follow like a disciple)

Vs. 34 opisw mou after me

- The desires of discipleship require the right desires.

If you recall what was mentioned in about Jesus’ rebuke of Peter, the desires/mind set of Peter was on the things of man rather than godly things.

In light of that discussion, it adds clarity to the phrase “deny themselves”. A disciple should expect to deny self-centeredness to pursue God’s interests. (these two things are in conflict)

At this point in time, the disciples wouldn’t know the connection between Jesus and the cross. The focus of the metaphor is on the suffering and trouble as a whole, rather than looking for individual cross experiences.

The focus of the metaphor is on the suffering and trouble as a whole, rather than looking for individual cross experiences.

Louis Barbieri from the Bible Knowledge Commentary notes this: “The Romans customarily compelled someone condemned to crucifixion to carry at least part of his own cross. This act gave public testimony to his being under and submissive to the rule he had opposed. This was both a punishment and a humiliation. Likewise, Jesus' disciples must publicly declare their submission to the One whom they formerly rebelled against.”

“The Romans customarily compelled someone condemned to crucifixion to carry at least part of his own cross. This act gave public testimony to his being under and submissive to the rule he had opposed. This was both a punishment and a humiliation. Likewise, Jesus' disciples must publicly declare their submission to the One whom they formerly rebelled against.”

The whole point of the metaphor is that discipleship is equivalent to taking up a cross. (this isn’t about glamour) What is important in Jesus mentioning discipleship in this manner is that the disciples still think they are walking around with pride as part of the conquering king’s brigade.

Why was it important to paint discipleship in this manner?

> A discipleship that doesn’t expect difficulties or problems isn’t an accurate picture.

> Discipleship in Christ demands that we wrestle with pride so that we experience spiritual growth that comes with a greater dependence upon the Lord Jesus. To look at the picture of being a disciple is that wonderful picture of following in Jesus’ footsteps. When we don’t want to follow on that path is when our pride thinks we know what is better for us than the Lord Himself.

> Let me tell you from first hand experience, pride deters being an effective disciple.

write down on paper or your margin, the word “pride” and point an arrow to what area of your life you see that being a problem. (appearance, prestige, what people think of you, job title, what you make, education, house, car, asking for help, etc.)

(25-26) The soul question

- What does it mean to save one’s life?

25 ὃς γὰρ ἐὰν θέλῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ σῶσαι ἀπολέσει αὐτήν· ὃς δʼ ἂν ἀπολέσῃ τὴν ψυχὴν αὐτοῦ ἕνεκεν ἐμοῦ εὑρήσει αὐτήν.

For whomever desires to save his soul he will lose it. And whomever loses his soul on account of me he will find it.

25 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.

For what will it profit man if he might gain the whole world but forfeits his soul? Or what will man exchange his soul?

- What does it mean to save one’s life?

Let’s look at the word used here for “life” which is ψῡχή and can be translated as “soul”. Exegetical dictionary of the New Testament states “that the ψυχή is not something higher in a person over against an inferior part. Instead, it characterizes a person in the comprehensive vitality through which he really is himself, can find or lose himself, save or give himself up, hate or preserve himself.”

This is not a verse talking about the Gospel. If it was, it would be teaching that eternal life was gained through one’s willingness to give up life. (works of the mind)

Balz, H. R., & Schneider, G. (1990–). (Vol. 3, p. 501). Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans.

The real meaning of these words is (to quote S. Lewis Johnson) “that one must sacrifice the natural life in order to truly possess the spiritual life. One must sacrifice the love of the world and the world’s loves in order to have the experience of true spiritual life.”

the spiritual life. One must sacrifice the love of the world and the world’s loves in order to have the

What the world has to offer that is independent of Jesus Christ is not worthy of the spiritual life that comes through Jesus Christ and will be fully realized later. There may be costs that occur now but the life that Jesus has given to the believer will not be taken away and in fact in resurrection will be fully realized.

experience of true spiritual life. One must sacrifice the temple in order to possess the eternal in the

fullest sense.

- The world is not profitable

This should be understood with the backdrop of “Why should I fear in days of adversity, When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me, Even those who trust in their wealth And boast in the abundance of their riches? No man can by any means redeem his brother Or give to God a ransom for him— For the redemption of his soul is costly, And he should cease trying forever— That he should live on eternally, That he should not undergo decay. For he sees that even wise men die; The stupid and the senseless alike perish And leave their wealth to others.”

Why should I fear in days of adversity,

When the iniquity of my foes surrounds me,

6 Even those who trust in their wealth

And boast in the abundance of their riches?

7 No man can by any means redeem his brother

Or give to God a ransom for him—

8 For the redemption of his soul is costly,

And he should cease trying forever—

9 That he should live on eternally,

That he should not bundergo decay.

10 For he sees that even wise men die;

The stupid and the senseless alike perish

And leave their wealth to others.

An imaginary balance sheet is put forward in terms of profit and loss. Unlike most account principles, it doesn’t equal out. These things are talked about to the extreme to make a strong point. (i.e. because nobody could gain the whole world)

New American Standard Bible: 1995 update. (1995). (). La Habra, CA: The Lockman Foundation.

An imaginary balance sheet is put forward in terms of profit and loss. Unlike most account principles, it doesn’t equal out. These things are talked about to the extreme to make a strong point. (i.e. because nobody could gain the whole world)

An imaginary balance sheet is put forward in terms of profit and loss. Unlike most account principles, it doesn’t equal out. These things are talked about to the extreme to make a strong point. (i.e. because nobody could gain the whole world)

If you were to gain everything that the world has to offer (a present life that would have everything that materialism could give) it wouldn’t be equal to the loss of a spiritual life in the present and eternity.

If you have everything the world has to offer then realize spiritual life was more important at the end of your life, what would you possible exchange for that? The answer is nothing because the things of the world cannot purchase a life in Christ.

- What are we to learn from this contrast between the abundant life and the world?

> The world sells itself in the things that our hearts can desire but they are never enough. The clothes, vehicles, houses, toys, entertainment, and food bring a minimal satisfaction that doesn’t find its end in itself. One can gain something new in these things but then find that in a short period of time the lust for new, different or even more is opening up the pocket book of the heart to gather another thing.

> The abundant life which is the life spoken of here by Jesus is transcendent because it is obtained by the work of Jesus, produced by a supernatural inner birth through the Holy Spirit and is secured by the Father in heaven. It is a life that produces both desire and contentment when the focus is on Jesus and His kingdom. Somehow the greater the desire becomes for knowing Jesus in a greater capacity it also produces a greater contentment in Christ as the winds of trouble, persecution and temptation blow against it.

(27) The reminder of all things

- This is speaking of the time of future rewards.

For the son of man is going to come in the glory of His father with his angels and then he will repay each according to his actions.

27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every man according to his deeds.

- This is speaking of the time of future rewards.

Some would say that this is the believer’s time of being rewarded for one’s life on earth as stated in “Therefore we also have as our ambition, whether at home or absent, to be pleasing to Him. For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.”

Others believe that this is the reward of the unjust that die without Christ and receive final judgment.

10 For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ, so that each one may be recompensed for his deeds in the body, according to what he has done, whether good or bad.

I believe both are in view: For the unbeliever that is only focused on gaining the world, there will be judgment for rejecting God. For the believer the encouragement is to not worry about the shame and scorn for being a disciple because the rewards of service to God in the future will be so much greater than any simple pleasure or comfort that the world provides. Any suffering in discipleship will be short lived compared to the abundant life given.

- This is also speaking of the eventually triumphant entry to establish the kingdom.

The picture is that the path of Jesus that includes suffering; death and then resurrection will look different when Jesus comes back a second time.

The glory displayed at Jesus’ second coming will be quite a sight to behold and a joy for all of His adopted sons and daughters.

As Dr. Stan Toussaint notes about this verse: “"By including this discussion here Matthew once more emphasized the program of the Messiah as it is based on Daniel's prophecy. The Messiah must first be cut off (), a period of intense trouble begins at a later time (), and finally the Son of Man comes in glory to judge the world (). Thus the disciples must endure suffering, and when the Son of Man comes in His glory, they will be rewarded."

- What shall we say about these things?

> To quote William Barclay “THERE is all the difference in the world between existing and living. To exist is simply to have the lungs breathing and the heart beating; to live is to be alive in a world where everything is worth while, where there is peace in the soul, joy in the heart and a thrill in every moment. Jesus here gives us the recipe for life as distinct from existence.

> If starts with the Gospel, do you know Jesus Christ as a person in history or the Lord and savior of your life?

28 ἀμὴν λέγω ὑμῖν ὅτι εἰσίν τινες τῶν ὧδε ἑστώτων οἵτινες οὐ μὴ γεύσωνται θανάτου ἕως ἂν ἴδωσιν τὸν υἱὸν τοῦ ἀνθρώπου ἐρχόμενον ἐν τῇ βασιλείᾳ αὐτοῦ.

[1] Truly I say to you that whomever maybe here standing will not be tasting death until they see the son of man coming in his kingdom.

28 “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

[1] Holmes, M. W. (2011–2013). The Greek New Testament: SBL Edition (). Lexham Press; Society of Biblical Literature.