Matthew 16 reminds me of the dreaded phrase, “You Can’t Miss It”. I worry every time someone adds that to their driving directions. Frequently, a “can’t miss” feature is less obvious than I expect. In today’s chapter we see different groups missing landmarks. First, “The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested Him by asking Him to show them a sign”. These were the dueling Jewish factions that fought for religious and political control. Corruption and compromise became the shortcut to power under Roman rule. Both groups saw Jesus as a threat to stability. Jesus told them to look around, then He cut off their interruption with a fork in the road, “A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah”. He left them to ponder the primary point that divided them. Did they trust the written Word of God? Is there a harder story to swallow than that of Jonah? The second group of travelers were very distracted. Jesus told the disciples, “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees”. They assumed it was lunchtime, since He was talking about bread. He patiently explained that yeast, or Levin is a symbol of sin and corruption. Many use God’s Word to teach a different gospel of self-promotion, or human adoration. The Gospel of Christ is centered on the resurrection of the Messiah. The apostle Paul explains, “For if the dead are not raised, then Christ has not been raised either. And if Christ has not been raised, your faith is futile; and you are still in your sins” (1 Corinthians 15:16). Satan’s entire focus from the beginning was to prevent the atonement and any of us from believing it. Friend, have you missed a turn?
Jesus unfolded the map and asked the disciples where they were. “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” Much like today, the opinions vary. He was a good man, or a good teacher, or maybe even spiritual advisor. Then He asked them, “Who do you say I am?” I imagine there was a long silent pause as they thought about the path they had taken. Finally Peter spoke up, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God”. This is that moment of excitement we get when we see the arrow on a map that says “You Are Here”. With nodding approval Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon… for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by My Father in heaven”. And He added a punny emphasis; Simon roughly translates to shifty sand and Peter translates to a sturdy rock. “You are Peter, and on this rock I will build My church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it”. Jesus changed his name and his mission from uncertain to stable. Who do you say Jesus is?
With the new understanding, Jesus then proceeded to “explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things… and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life”. This can only be done by the one and only sinless Man, both fully God and fully man. Minutes after being declared a spiritual rock, Peter got a little too confident, shouting “Never, Lord!” He did not understand this was the only way. Jesus rebuked Peter in the most powerful way, “Get behind Me, Satan!” Jesus explained that He would lead the way, “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me”. This is selfless love; putting the needs of others before our own. It means to live it out, and not just speak positive affirmations. I believe the point is that people hear your actions before they will listen to your words. Only then will anyone be persuaded to consider the unnoticed spiritual hazards around us. Jesus expressed it this way, “What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?” My friend, are you speeding to an uncertain destination? If you have passed the cross, you have gone too far. It is time to turn around.