Matthew 16

The religious leaders try a different track. "Show is a sign that you are from God!" Jesus does not give them one. He points out that they refuse to see what is happening: God's work (healing.) Jesus points out that Jonah refused to get excited even when a whole city changed its mind and turned to God.

 

Jesus warns his disciples not to let the yeast (hard-heartedness, hypocrisy) to affect them. Still sort of dense, they think he is talking about bread. Jesus points out the folly of their thoughts and tries to redirect them.

 

Jesus then asks his friends what people are saying about him. Then he asks them what they think. Peter gives a sound, theological (and correct) answer. Jesus says he will build his church (notice church is very important, not optional to the ongoing mission of Jesus) upon such faith as Peter's. He tells his friend that they (as the church) will have the power to release people form the bonds and illness of sin (or, like the religious leaders, the power to keep people bound up.) Jesus tells his friends not to talk about him being the Christ, maybe because it would take away from his mission because many thought the Christ would be a warrior king who would re-establish the Kingdom of Israel.

 

Jesus drives deeper with his teaching. He tells his disciples that the true Christ will suffer and die for others but will rise again. Now Peter rebukes Jesus. Evidently, he also likes the warrior king model over the suffering servant of God model Jesus professes. Jesus rebukes Peter as a stumbling block for faith seekers. What a turn-around! Peter must have been crushed.

 

Jesus makes it very clear. Following him involves denial of selfish interest. God's mission must be foremost. God will take care of the faithful missioner. Real death comes when we loose faith and give into the powers and manipulations of the world around us. Guard your spirit more than your body. The stakes are eternal.