Matthew 16:11-12
"Why is it you don’t understand that when I told you, ‘Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and Sadducees,’ it wasn’t about bread?" Then they understood that he had not told them to beware of the leaven in bread, but of the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
But they didn't know because they weren't really up on the scriptures. They knew all sorts of things. They knew the signs of the times. They understand the seasons and the weather and how to take advantage of both in agriculture and war. But how is it they did not understand that the doctrines of mankind are greatest threat to their survival.
Here is the gospel truth:
In Matthew 16:18, Jesus says, “I will build my church.” This is the first mention of the church in the Bible. And by special revelation he reveals his Messiahship to the disciples.
Peter gives testimony to the bedrock truth:
“The Christ, the Son of the living God.” This s the confession, the Petra, the great rock, upon which Jesus will build his church.
Simon Bar-Jonah, Peter [Petros-little loose stones like gravel], is the man who gave witness to that Petra [solid bedrock] foundational truth. There's no intent whatsoever to ascribe any kind of religious doctrine to the man Peter himself. Jesus declares that he will build his church upon Peter's confession, not the man and his position. This confession wasn't from the man Peter but by special revelation from God in heaven. These special revelations are the keys to the kingdom.
And in the next moment Peter becomes the mouthpiece for Satan. Jesus has just revealed himself to them as the Messiah, and he's instructing them against spreading that word just yet, for the time is not right. And Jesus explains that he, the Messiah, must suffer at the hands of this evil generation, suffer unto death and be raised again in three days. And Peter picks up another revelation, but this time from the wrong spirit.
Matthew 16:22
And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.”
And so it begins. The doctrines of men already trying to manage the situation. Jesus was trying to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things, but ultimately conquers the situation through his resurrection, and next to him is Peter. No doubt shaking his head and beginning to get agitated. He gets so upset he feels it's necessary to grab Jesus and pull him aside. And Jesus hears him out. Jesus is also upset and trying to be patient. Jesus and Peter are standing off together. Jesus has his back to Peter, no doubt trying to hold it together. Until finally he can't hold it back anymore.
Matthew 16:23
he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance [stumbling block] to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
We don't see Jesus get visibly upset very often, but he does. It's not out of his way to lash out against untruth. It is notable that every time we see him loose it, it seems to have something to do with the incorrect assumptions and doctrines of mankind. Especially as it pertains to the substance of faithfulness to God's word and grace. He lashes out when men pervert worship and prayer. And he lashes out when men develop their own methods of salvation according to the ways of the world. Our God is a jealous God, and he's right to be angry.
Jesus firmly makes Peter aware of the truth. No doubt his heat could be felt by Peter in that moment. The two face off and finally Jesus just blasts Peter with the real deal. He tells him that he's not acting out of good will, but that he's serving the evil one.
Imagine Peters shock at hearing Jesus call him Satan. Let that sink in for a moment. Put yourself in his place. You're committed to the church and its head Jesus. God seems to be working through human decisions, and you've been enjoying participating in that give and take. In fact, you're somewhat of a leader among the group. And so, you're probably not pleased to hear that your Lord is going to willingly walk right into an obvious trap in Jerusalem. And not only that he WANTS it to happen.
At this point they're all paying attention. No doubt Jesus and Peter were getting loud raising their voices, and the others began to draw near to them.
And then, Jesus introduced to them what is known as "The Cost of Discipleship"
Matthew 16:24-28
Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done. Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”
The real nuts and bolts about the cost of discipleship:
It doesn't really matter to any one of us individually what others say about Jesus. Not the Church, not the creeds, not your Pastor or seminary teachers. What Jesus says here in Matthew 16:24-28 is that we all as individuals must confess our faith in the God man Jesus Christ and confess it before the Son of God. That is the cross that every single believer must bear.
The church is the most precious entity on planet earth. Families will fight and separate. Businesses will sell out and close. Nations will collapse under the weight of tyranny. But the church of Jesus Christ has eternal security in the individual testimony of every single believer that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God. Against that testimony the gates of hell cannot stand.
This is the hope that every believer has in Jesus Christ. Though we suffer persecution for his sake, though it may cost us our lives, death is not final. Eternity is final. By taking up our cross in Christ, we have hope that transcends the grave.
Philippians 1:20-21
"For I fully expect and hope that I will never be ashamed, but that I will continue to be bold for Christ, as I have been in the past. And I trust that my life will bring honor to Christ, whether I live or die. For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better."
Final thoughts:
Mankind must have power and authority in order to overcome the grave. Jesus gave all the disciples the keys to his kingdom. He had the authority to do this because his Father in heaven gave him that authority. Those keys are your testimony to the salvation of Jesus Christ that has changed us from lost in our sins to forgiven and redeemed in his resurrection. That's the key. That's the bedrock power over death that Jesus uses to build his church. Jesus' identity and his resurrection is the key.
Don't you see it people?
Jesus has been trying to get us all to see it throughout his entire ministry. He's been calling out all those who choose to make up their own laws and doctrines about his power, limiting his kingdom to their own human endeavors. In fact, even before his earthly mission he has sent prophets to do the same.
Luke 11:52
"Woe to you lawyers! For you have taken away the key of knowledge. You did not enter yourselves, and you hindered those who were entering.”
No manmade doctrine holds the keys to the kingdom. No man in priestly robes limits access. No man of God who calls himself "Father" distributes grace according to his own rules and regulations. The church of men cannot hold that power. The key to the kingdom is the teachings of Jesus, with the reality of Jesus himself at the center and head of everything. He alone is our inspiration and intercession. Taking up our cross in Him is the key to his promised kingdom. The key is shaped like his cross. On that truth the church stands.
#JesusIsKing