fredlott63

16th chapter of Matthew

Forward

In this chapter we can see how God makes intellectual appeals and satan makes emotional appeals.

Verse 1

Satan is using the Sanhedrin to try to get Jesus to do what he couldn’t; they wanted Jesus to prove He is who He says He is. It would have been a waste of time because they weren’t interested in anything but themselves. They really had no faith in Jesus but they could not do what He did. They want Jesus to show them something just for them.

Verse 2 through 4

Today things are no different. We have all kinds of devices to track a storm. However we don’t notice that we are looking down on male female relationships and legalizing gay marriage. Let me get this straight, it’s wrong for a man to even look at a woman and even feel desire but gays can marry. If you don’t see satan’s hand in our decision making process you are either evil or dumb.

Verse 5

The disciples will keep thinking It’s something they did wrong. Eventually they will get it.

Verse 6 and 7

Leaven is not bread. It is the rising agent that changes the shape of the bread but adds little if any nutritional value. Jesus told satan the scripture in Leviticus that says “man doesn’t live by bread alone but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God”. What He is saying is that like food in the physical keeps us alive. Making decisions that please God will benefit us. There is more to life than just satisfying physical desires. In fact, if your only concern in life is eating when you are hungry, drinking when you are thirsty, and having sex whenever you find a willing partner, then there is no difference between how you view life and a dog. Since leaven is used in bread the disciples feel that Jesus is faulting them.

Verse 8 through 12

Jesus had twice fed a multitude with the equivalent of a happy meal. Jesus is making a Godly appeal to think. There was probably bread left over from feeding the multitude and if Jesus could feed possibly 10,000 people then it would not take much to feed twelve men. Jesus is warning about listening to the traditions of men instead of following the word of God. Today we have a sad case of blind leading blind. People that have never been schooled in scripture are misleading others who haven’t read the bible. There are some that believe you get closer to God by praying than by reading the bible. They have never read Psalm 40:7 that say “I come in the volume of the book”. God reveals Himself through His word. If the God you are serving doesn’t line up with scripture, then you are on the wrong side.

Verse 13 and 14

Jesus is trying to get the disciples to think about who He is. First He asks them what people say about Him. Rumors thou often believed are rarely true.

Verse 15 through 17

Peter walked on water with Christ. He watched Christ at least two times feed over 5,000 people with a meal meant for a child. Peter could see God working through Jesus and Jesus congratulates Peter for getting it.

Verse 18 through 20

The church will not be built on Peter but what Peter said. The devil will move the forces of hell itself to stop it but will not succeed. This life while short can have consequences. Forgiveness of sins may not be enough, God wants obedience. Don’t worry about appearances, do the best you can.

Verse 20 through 22

While Jesus explained everything to his disciples He spoke to the multitude in parables and hidden mysteries and riddles. Now He is telling His disciples not to tell who He is. Three times in Matthew, Mark, and Luke Jesus predicts his own death. Sometimes He includes the fact that He is coming back to life. When Jesus comes back to life, no one will be in Jerusalem to meet Him. There are still some people that doubt the divinity of Christ. In spite of the fact that time itself is based on His life. God calls Jesus His son six times. They are Matthew 3:13 and 17:5, Mark 1:11 and 7:17, and Luke 3:22 and 9:35. In John 12:26 through 28 Jesus calls God father and God answers where people can hear. Jesus is the son of God, God says so.

Verse 23

Satan is making an appeal to emotion. Peter loves Jesus and it is natural to protect the ones you care about. Peter doesn’t want Christ to be mistreated.

Verse 24 through 27

This series of scriptures is found in Matthew 16:24 - 27, Mark 8:34 through 38, and Luke 9:23 through 26. Rarely does Jesus quote one scripture behind another so this must be important.

Verse 28

This will happen in the next chapter.

susanblange Loc: USA

Matthew 16:21. Jesus plans his own death by crucifixion. He wanted to be crucified because he thought it would fulfill scripture. Judas was Jesus's most devoted follower, he gave up his life for the cause. BTW, there was supposed to be three shepherds who would commit suicide. Zechariah 11:8. They were Adam, Matthew, and Luke and they were fraternity brothers at ATO frat house, Alpha Tau Omega. Jesus was a false prophet. In Matthew 16:28 he says, "Verily I say unto you, There be some standing here, which shall not taste of death, till they see the Son of man coming in his kingdom". This was a reference to Daniel 7:13 and it hasn't happened yet.