Matthew: Who is Jesus Really?

Matthew 16:13-27

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If someone were to ask your mom and your best friend to describe you, how would their descriptions differ? Would either be wrong, or just different perspectives of you?

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Matthew 16:13-16

[13] Now when Jesus came into the district of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” [14] And they said, “Some say John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” [15] He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?” 16 Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” [17] And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven.

‍Matthew 16:21-23

[21] From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. [22] And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” [23] But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

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Peter quickly goes from being praised for his understanding of who Jesus is, to having the audacity to rebuke Jesus. Why would Peter do this?

Jesus’ response to Peter is strong, but warranted. Why would Jesus refer to Peter as Satan?

The disciples and the crowds thought it would be easy to follow Jesus. What might they have assumed being a follower of Jesus would be like?

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Matthew 16:24-27

[24] Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. [25] For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. [26] 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? [27] 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.

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Three Truths We Must Embrace About Jesus:

1. His Identity

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In our society, virtually everyone has heard of Jesus. What are some common beliefs or opinions people may have about him that are untrue or incomplete?

Much like Peter, we can know the right “Christian” words to say but not have the correct understanding and heart behind those words. What might this look like for us?

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2. His Mission

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Matthew 16:21

[21] From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised.

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The Jews believed the Messiah would come to judge God’s enemies and take over power. What did Jesus actually come to do?

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3. His Requirements

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Matthew 16:24-26

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What does Jesus say following him requires?

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Romans 5:8

[8] but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us.