The Life of Christ

Jesus, discerning the source behind Peter’s words, turns to His lead apostle — but rebukes Satan.

• Satan was actually speaking kind, benevolent words through the mouth of one of Jesus’ closest friends!

• Satan will go so far as to speak through those closest to us in his most deviant assaults.

Mt. 16:23 You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’ s. ”

By referring to him as a stumbling block, it implies that Jesus nearly stumbled and fell.

• Had Jesus not regained His balance, He could have tripped and blemished the final sacrifice for our atonement.

• If self-pity had become such a temptation for Jesus, imagine its potential power over us!

Mt. 16:24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.”

To successfully follow Jesus, there is a cross we each must carry.

• The cross is ongoing and requires a daily dying to whatever crucifies our flesh.

• To follow Jesus means to follow Him in His ecstasy and His agony.

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Mt. 16:27 “For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels; and WILL THEN RECOMPENSE EVERY MAN ACCORDING TO HIS DEEDS.”

Jesus shares these words to assure them that He is coming back again after He dies.

He’s coming back with our reward.

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When Jesus comes again, believers will then receive their rewards.

• The nature of these rewards will most likely define our position and job-assignment in the millennial kingdom.

Mt. 16:28 “Truly I say to you, there are some of those who are standing here who shall not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.”

These words are quite baffling!

• The traditional view of this verse has often referred to what would happen on the Mount of Transfiguration, occurring shortly after Jesus made this statement.

• This position will always remain a viable possibility.

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