Matthew 16

O ye of little faith
Verses 1-12

 

The Pharisees and Sadducees sought a sign from heaven, which is a reference to God. They demanded a sign to prove Christ’s credentials as Messiah. Having already performed enough signs and miracles Jesus refused their request. He commented on their spiritual blindness. Throughout the Gospels, they did this. They would never take Christ at his word. Generally, the Pharisees and Sadducees did not agree with each other, but in persecuting Christ they adopted a united front. We see this in every walk of life. Men and women of opposite opinions will unite in their dislike and hatred of things of God. Men and women, young and old, rich, and poor all suffer from disobedience and disbelief.

 

The Lord also gave solemn warnings to His disciples. The best of men are just men and can fall into temptation. He warns us of the doctrine of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Be careful a little leaven leaventh the whole lump (Gal. 5.9). Just a little leaven affects the whole lump of dough so does sin and false doctrine. If a little false doctrine gets into the assembly, it will affect every member. There will always be “Pharisees and Sadducees” in the assembly for they creep in unnoticed, but they will make it known that they are not true followers of Christ. They shall be known by their words and deeds. The Pharisees and Sadducees of Jesus’s day demanded a sign from him to prove his credentials as Messiah. Having already given many signs and performed many miracles he refused their request. Rather he commented on their spiritual blindness.

 

 

 

 

I Will Build My Church

Verses 13-20

 

Here are some words that have caused much debate among Christians down the centuries. Men have contended over the true meaning of this passage and still do today. In verse 15 our Lord asked Simon Peter, “But whom say ye that I am?” Peter answered with zeal and conviction, “Thou art the Christ, the son of the living God.” This answer can only be given by the Holy Spirit. Peter gave this answer because he had faith to see that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God. All who can truly say that Jesus is the Christ has been born again. Believing in Christ as Lord and Saviour can only be given by God. Jesus confirmed this truth in verse 17.

 

In verse 18 we learn some key information about Christ and His Church. We ought to have confidence in Christ as he said, “I will build My church.” The church belongs to Christ, and he has a purpose for His church. He will build His church; it is his work to do. He will protect His church; His holy bride. The gates of hell shall never prevail over the true professing and believing Church.

 

Jesus also said, “Thou art Peter and on this rock, I will build My church.” Does this mean that Peter is the foundation of the church? Such a view would contradict the words of Colossians 1:18 which read, “And he is the head of the body, the church: who is the beginning, the firstborn from the dead; that in all things he might have the pre-eminence.” There is no other head of the Church than Christ. Our Lord said that he would build His church on “this rock”. The true meaning of “the rock” is the confession of Jesus as the Christ, the son of the living God. Our faith in Christ is solid as a rock. Saving faith is sure and steadfast. Jesus said to Peter that he will build His church upon the profession of faith in himself as the Son of the living God. Jesus said that this faith is a rock.

 

We also read about Christ giving the keys to the kingdom to Peter. Does this mean that Peter has the right to accept souls into the Kingdom of God? Was it Peter or Jesus who purchased souls on the cross? It was Christ that died, and it is Christ that saves. The office of saving souls belongs to Christ alone. Revelation 1:18 says, “I am he that liveth, and was dead; and, behold, I am alive for evermore, Amen; and have the keys of hell and of death.” It is Christ that has the keys to hell and death, and it is Christ that has the keys to salvation. There is no proof in Holy Writ that Peter has any such authority as Christ over souls. When preaching the Gospel all the apostles pointed to Christ, and none of them pointed to Peter. They knew that our Lord Jesus Christ is the only one that has the power to save souls. So, what does this mean? This refers to the authority Christ gave to Peter and the apostles to go into all the world to preach the Gospel. The key to the kingdom is salvation in Christ. Here, the keys stand in contrast to the gates of hell spoken of in the eighteenth verse.

 

Peter was a fervent servant and apostle of Christ. Although he had many faults and flaws like us all Peter was a faithful follower of the Lord Jesus Christ. He was also one of the three pillars of the early Christian church in Jerusalem. Peter was the first Christian missionary to the Gentiles. He was also martyred for his faith in about 64 A.D. History tells us that Peter was crucified upside down as he felt unworthy to die in the same manner as Jesus Christ. Roman Catholicism speaks of the Pope, the Bishop of Rome, as the successor of Saint Peter which has no foundation in Scripture whatsoever.

 

The Church which Christ promised to build is founded on a rock. Christ himself is the rock and a true confession in him is the way of salvation. His Church is not of one nation, one people group, or one place. The church is of one Lord, one faith, and one baptism. It is made up of the whole body of believers. It is composed of all who are washed in Christ’s blood and clothed in his righteousness. They have been renewed by the Holy Spirit. All who belong to the Church are of one heart, one mind, and one truth. The truth is that Jesus is the Christ, the son of the living God, and that by believing in Him alone for salvation we are his children. It will not matter in the last days if we have worshipped in a Baptist church, Presbyterian church, Anglican church, an independent or the many countless denominations. All that will really matter is if we have confessed true faith in the Son of the living God. Despite falls and failures, the flesh, and the devil, and the world, the church shall remain and no true member of Christ’s body on earth shall be cast away.

 

Get thee behind me, Satan

Verse 21-23

 

Here for the first time, we read about Jesus telling his disciples of his forthcoming death at Jerusalem. He tells them that he must go and suffer many things and be killed. He also told them that on the third day, he would be raised again. Peter took issue with Christ and said, “Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee.” The thought that the Messiah would be put to death was something Peter at this point could not understand. He tries to change Christ’s mind about suffering at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and scribes. Peter was blind to the importance of Christ's death on the cross.

 

Jesus rebukes Peter in the strongest way possible by addressing him by the name of “Satan” as if Peter was doing the devil’s work. Some may say that Jesus is a little too harsh on Peter. However, Peter had spent enough time with Jesus to know that all of his words were true and of great spiritual value. The truth is that Jesus is teaching here that the crucifixion is the central truth of Christianity. The sum of our hope must be in Christ’s death on the cross; his shed blood for the remission of sin. If our hope is not found in his atoning death, then we are lost and without hope in the world.

 

Peter was the chief of the apostles, so he received the sharpest rebuke from Christ. Those who are in positions of authority within the church often receive the sharpest rebuke from God for their errors. Peter said “Far be it from thee” literally meaning, God, have mercy on thee. We cannot be saved from sin without the cross, so Christ rebuked him and told him of the great importance of the cross. When Peter said this to Christ, he took him aside like a friend so not all could hear the conversation. Although taking someone aside to speak with them about a matter is a good thing our motive could be wrong. Peter wanted to prevent Christ from undergoing his death and suffering, but Christ told him that his way was not God’s way. Peter’s failings here are twofold. Firstly, his ignorance of the redemption of sinners by the death of Christ. Secondly, his sinfulness in rebuking the Son of God, even though his intention was for good.

 

Christ starts to clarify the concept of the cross to his disciples. Thus, Christ enters the second phase of his ministry, which involves atoning for sin. Peter was entirely unaware of Christ’s death, and even more so, his resurrection, to the extent that he attempted to prevent the Lord from going to the cross. This indicates that the Gospel of the kingdom preached by John did not include any references to the cross, resurrection, or ascension.

 

The Gospel of the Kingdom is a message of repentance, redemption, and restoration for Israel. A message that righteousness could only be attained through keeping the law. The Gospel of Grace is a message of salvation through faith. A message that righteousness is apart from the law. It is the Gospel of God’s Grace that Christians preach today. The Gospel of the Kingdom preaches the soon coming of the king and his kingdom. The Gospel of Grace preaches the grace of God for salvation.

 

 

 

Take up your cross and follow me

Verses 24-28

 

If anyone comes after Christ, they must deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him. What does this mean? To be a true follower of Christ one must deny his own will and desires and accept the will of God. To take up one’s cross means to identify with Christ in his death, to be one with him.

 

The follower of Christ denies his sinful, ungodliness, and worldly passions. Let the sinner deny his own self-righteousness, his own works to justify himself before God. Let him forsake his old way of life and come after the saviour of sinners. When the way of Christ has been accepted and a soul has been converted, they now must take up their cross. They must count it a blessing to suffer for Christ in the world. The child of God will cheerfully receive and patiently bear every trial and temptation. The Christian life may not be easy. We suffer as believers but take courage Christ is with us. He will not cause us to be tempted above what we are able to, and the Lord will not leave us or forsake us in our temptation.

 

In verses 25 we read about losing your life for the sake of Christ. He who has a desire to save his life from trouble in the service of Christ will be exposed to the wrath of God. Many who were once faithful have denied the gospel, forsaken their Lord, and sought peace, honour, and pleasure in the world. These are the ones who Christ says, “Whosoever will save his life shall lose it.” Those who are willing to forego the pleasures of sin lay down their life before God. He shall enjoy the eternal joy and endless pleasure when their life and work on earth is done.

 

He is a fool who rejects Christ and His glorious gospel, for what will it benefit a man to gain all that this world has to offer and then lose his soul forever in eternal hell and judgment? Your soul is the most precious part of you. It is your soul that gives you life and one day your soul will be required of you by God. When you breathe your last your soul will depart and will stand before the throne of the Almighty. What can be more important than the salvation of your soul?

 

In verse 27 we learn that in the second coming of Christ he will reward each according to his works. Christ will come in the glory of his Father with his angels and reward the righteous according to their works. Now, it is important that we do not misunderstand the fact that salvation is by faith through the grace of God. We are not saved by the merit of our works. If our salvation could be purchased by our own merit, then Christ did not have to shed his blood for the remission of sin.

 

The Bible tells us, “Yea, and all that will live godly in Christ Jesus shall suffer persecution” (2 Timothy 3:12). Remember this, the world is temporal, fading away and perishing. The soul is eternal. The question of good works is quite interesting because people sometimes “gamble” at the idea that we are justified by works.