New Testament- Lesson 115

Matthew Chapter 16- Part 3 

Jesus reveals his coming sufferings and speaks of true discipleship-Read (Matthew 16:21-28)(Mark 8:31-37, Mark 9:1)(Luke 9:22-27)

Jesus told his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised on the third day. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "No Lord, this shall not happen to You!" But he turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an offense to me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men." Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? For the Son of Man will come in the glory of his Father with his angels, and then he will reward each according to his works. Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."

Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him for speaking of his death. He was their king and shouldn't/coudn't die. He was to be with them forever as their leader and teacher. Jesus on the other hand, had only one goal in mind i.e. to fulfill the Father's will and he wouldn't let anyone stand as hindrance to that. He knew that Satan would bring hindrances to God's divine plan and he rebuked Satan for being an offense. True discipleship had costs involved and Jesus spoke precisely of what it meant for someone to be his disciple..Denial and picking up one's cross were of paramount importance if someone decided to follow him.

Luke adds a few important words here.....If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me. (Luke 9:23)

For whoever is ashamed of me and my words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when he comes in his own glory, and in his Father's, and of the holy angels. (Luke 9:26)

Unlike Matthew and Mark, Luke adds the word "daily" regarding picking up the cross. So true, for believers do sometimes forget that they have to continually live a life "dead to sin" to be "alive in Christ". Jesus affirmed that having all material gains in this world and not having salvation of one's soul was worthless. A disciple should never be ashamed to testify to others regarding his/her salvation that God the Father has provided him/her through his son Jesus Christ.
Jesus ended this teaching session with his disciples by saying, "Assuredly, I say to you, there are some standing here who shall not taste death till they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom." He was speaking of his resurrection here and it proved true. His disciples and several others were witnesses, except some who died, including Judas, his betrayer.