Pharisees and Sadducees tested Jesus, wanting a sign from heaven. Jesus rebuked them for knowing how to interpret the appearance of the sky but they couldn't interpret the signs of the times. Jesus reminded them of Jonah, left them and went away. (Matt 16:1-4, parallel Luke 12)
Jesus told his disciples to be careful, on guard against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Reminding them about their little faith, 5 loaves, 5 thousand, 7 loaves 4 thousand. He asked how many basketfuls did you gather at each event? (Matt 16:5-12)
Jesus asks his disciples about what people say about the Son of Man, then asks "Who do you say I am?" Peter answers, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." - Jesus affirms this was revealed by "his Father in heaven" and prophecy's about Peter and the Church. (Matt 16:13-20)
For what is the hope of the hypocrite (godless), though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul (life, breath, spirit)? Job 27:8
Luke 12:20
But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?'
- Interesting, they didn't recognize the sign of his birth (Matt 2:7), a clear sign from heaven and now Jesus tells them about the sign of his burial and resurrection. He already explained this in Matt 12:38-41 is what he meant by the "sign of Jonah". He explains this to disciples later in Matt 16:21.
- Yet in the narrative, Matt 16:17, Simon son of Jonah received a revelation from the Father in heaven. It was faith to say that "Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God."
- Simon is actually the son of John (John 1:42,21:15). So not only is the death and resurrection the sign of Jonah but also Peter, the Church and the Promise (Matt 16:17-19)
Jesus told his disciples to be careful, on guard against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Reminding them about their little faith, 5 loaves, 5 thousand, 7 loaves 4 thousand. He asked how many basketfuls did you gather at each event? (Matt 16:5-12)
- I like the trite expression, "blessings brighten when you count them." I'm seeing a tie between food and teaching and later the keys to the kingdom of heaven and "feed my sheep (John 21:15-25)."
- Our faith is based on miracles we experience with Jesus. What is he reminding you of in your past? Do you remember when you received an abundance when you followed Jesus? What has Jesus given to you that you couldn't have gotten without him? Have you been a witness of any miracles done in Jesus name? Everyone who calls upon the name of Lord will be saved.
- Beware of Bible teachers who lack faith. They may have a form of godliness but deny it's power (2 Timothy 3:5). They are false prophets (Matt 7:15), lead undisciplined lives (2 Thes 3:6), they don't train themselves for godliness (1 Tim 4:7), they don't provide for their own household (1 Tim 5:8).
- Beware of Bible teachers who are hypocrites (Luke 12:1). Everything hidden will be made known (Luke 12:2-3, Mark 4:22). They honor God with their lips but their heart is far from him (Isaiah 29:13).
Jesus asks his disciples about what people say about the Son of Man, then asks "Who do you say I am?" Peter answers, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." - Jesus affirms this was revealed by "his Father in heaven" and prophecy's about Peter and the Church. (Matt 16:13-20)
- "You are Peter,
- and on this rock I will build my church,
- and the gates of Hades will not overcome it.
- I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven"
- When did Peter receive these keys? "feed my sheep (John 21:15-25)", Pentecost
- Teaching "repent, and be baptized" Acts 2:37-38
- The Church is personal, person to person, relationships, eternal.
Jesus predicts his death and resurrection, rebukes Peter as "Satan" because he didn't have in mind the concerns of God but merely human concerns. (Matt 16:21-23)
- Where am I merely concerned about human things rather than God's concerns? How can I keep the concerns of God in mind? What can I do routinely to renew my mind in Christ? Be sacrificial to God in helping others (Romans 12:1-3, Phil 2:5-8). Yet wise and discerning where people are faith (1 Cor 2:6,16, 3:1).
Jesus teaches our purpose is to deny ourselves, follow him - offering ourselves as a living sacrifice as he has done. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Jesus will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeits their soul? The Son of Man is going to come in his Father's glory with his angels and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
This all came from a verse I saw this morning in Job:
For what is the hope of the hypocrite (godless), though he hath gained, when God taketh away his soul (life, breath, spirit)? Job 27:8
- Such is the destiny of all who forget God; so the hope of the godless will perish. - Job 8:13
- But the eyes of the wicked will fail, their escape route will be cut off, and they will hope for their last breath." - Job 11:20
- The life of every living thing is in His hand, as well as the breath of all mankind. - Job 12:10
Luke 12:20
But God said to him, 'You fool! This very night your life will be required of you. Then who will own what you have accumulated?'
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