A Study of Matthew 16:21-27
In this study we’ll be taking a look at what Jesus meant when He said “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me”.
Heavenly Father, I ask for Your wisdom and for Your understanding as I study Your word. Speak to my heart and soul, so that I may know You better. In Jesus' holy name I pray. Amen
Verse 21
We are reading right after Jesus had fully revealed to His disciples that He is indeed the Messiah. He’s telling them beforehand of what must take place, His very purpose for coming to this earth.
Verses 22-23
In Matthew 16:16, Simon (Peter), through divine revelation, knew who Jesus was and answered correctly: “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”. In verse 22 we see that he turned to Jesus to rebuke Him for the things He was saying would happen, Peter unwittingly became a spokesman for Satan. He took his human feelings and wants into greater account than the will of God. Something that we’re all guilty of from time to time. It’s important to remember that God’s will is sovereign over all and even if we don’t like what we see or experience in this life, we can know that God has a purpose. In this case Peter and the others were losing their teacher and friend to an unfair death, but the gain would be so much more for this world — salvation for all give their life to Christ.
Verses 24-25
From the mistake Peter made in the previous two verses, we can gain a better understanding of the verses after. Anyone who wants to follow Christ must first be figuratively crucified or born again. By giving your life to Jesus you are crucified, buried and resurrected with Him. You’re now dead to sin and your life exists to mimic the example of Christ as best you can. This is what it means to deny oneself and take up your cross: to give up the wants and sins you desire. Abstaining from sex outside of marriage, pornography, homosexual behavior, lying, stealing, hatred, abusing drugs and alcohol, etc. It is giving up a life controlled by your desires, for a life controlled by God’s desires for you.
Verses 26-27
Jesus is telling us that what we sow in this life, we shall reap in the next. For those of us who give up the sinful, worldly life that we desire, for the sake of Christ, we gain the reward of eternal life in Heaven. And for those who choose their “best life now”, their reward is eternity away from the Lord in misery and punishment. Some might ask, “But why would that be the case?”. The answer is simple, those who choose to control all matters of their life, in-order to live a sinful, worldly life — they are not true disciples of God and in-fact despise and mock Him with their actions. By focusing on seeking the things of this world, you give up the eternal life Jesus offers you. Jesus tells us in
Final Words:
A growing and false gospel that is preached today to so many, paints a picture of a Jesus who doesn’t care what you do. He is your “cool” best friend who will for sure give you health and wealth if you have enough faith. This is a message that would’ve been absolutely foreign to the apostles and is absolutely false. Being a follower of Christ means sacrifice — we don’t get to do everything we want or get everything we want. Because the things our flesh wants are sinful. As Christians, we now live for Christ, because He died for us. Will God bless those who love Him? Absolutely! However, His blessings may come in different ways than you’re expecting, since He has a plan for you. I encourage you to find God’s truth in His Word, the Bible. By studying His Word you can know His will, and by knowing His will you can align your will to His. If you haven’t already, Take up your cross and follow Him!