Chapter 16
Verses 1- 4 Read the Bible verses.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were two groups of Jewish leaders.
When it says that they tempted Jesus to show them a sign, it means they tried to test Jesus. Jesus said he was the Son of God. So they wanted him to give them a sign from heaven.
Jesus told them that they were good at reading and understanding the signs of the heavens and the weather, but they could not see and understand how Jesus’ life was fulfilling the Old Testament promises about the Messiah.
Jesus told them that the only sign that he would give them would be the sign of Jonah.
The Jewish leaders probably did not understand what Jesus meant by that–the sign of Jonah.
Jonah was an Old Testament prophet that was in the belly of a big fish for 3 days and 3 nights. Then the fish spit him out.
Jesus would be 3 days and 3 nights in the “belly” of the earth, then he would raise from the dead.
Chapter 16 Verses 5- 12 Read the Bible verses.
As Jesus and the disciples were going across the lake, Jesus spoke of the “leaven” of the Pharisees and Sadducees. Leaven is yeast. It is what makes bread puff up.
At first the disciples thought Jesus was talking about real bread because they did not bring any food.
Jesus was not talking about food. The word leaven and yeast was a way that Jesus was trying to explain the sin of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
The Pharisees and Sadducees were the church leaders, but they were wrong in many of their teachings. They also were proud and some were mean spirited.
Jesus was trying to say–just as yeast and leaven go all through the bread dough and all the dough gets yeast in it–so the sin, wrong teachings, pride, meanness of the church leaders goes all through the thinking of the people. The wrong teachings were like yeast–they spread and grew in people’s minds.
Chapter 16 Verse 13- 20 Read the Bible verses.
Jesus wanted to know who people thought he was.
Some thought he was John the Baptist come back to life. Some thought he was Elijah or Jeremiah come back to life.
Peter said, “You are the Messiah. The Son of the Living God.”
Jesus was pleased. He said that Peter knew that because the heavenly Father had made him understand.
Jesus said that upon this rock—the understanding that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God–Jesus would build his church. The “church” would be those who believed and said that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God.
Jesus said that hell would not be able to stop his church from growing.
He said to Peter and the disciples that what they prayed for to be bound or stopped–then that thing it would happen. And what they prayed for to be opened and free—that would happen.
Jesus told them not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Jesus knew that after his resurrection people would believe that he was the Son of God. Until the resurrection happened, they would not believe him.
Chapter 16 Verse 21- 23 Read the Bible verses.
Jesus tried to prepare the disciples as to what would happen soon. Jesus would die and would rise again on the 3rd day.
The disciples could not believe Jesus would die. They were expecting the Messiah to save their land from the rule of the Romans. If Jesus died–who would save their land?
Also, when Jesus said he would raise again on the 3rd day–the disciples could not understand—rise from the dead–what did he mean?
Did a man just get up when he is dead?
Peter did not want Jesus to die. But that was also Satan tempting Jesus to not go through with the cross. Jesus said to Peter that Peter’s words were like Satan speaking through him to tempt Jesus.
Jesus knew he needed to die so he could pay the punishment for everyone’s sin. So they did not have to pay the punishment themselves.
Dying on the cross would be so hard. Jesus would struggle to say “Yes” to the Father. Jesus pushed away the temptation . He would go to the cross.
Chapter 16 Verses 24- 28 Read the Bible verses.
Jesus said, “If you follow me, you cannot think about yourself first.
You must think about Jesus and the things of God first.
If you try to keep your life for yourself, you will lose your life.
If you give your life to Jesus, you will save your life.
What good would it be if you get the whole world and everything in it —-if you lose your soul and go to hell?
What is more important than your soul?
Living this life for what makes you happy—living to make money and have nice things—these things will not last. When we die we leave it all behind. The important thing is what preparation did we make for our soul?
If we are willing to give up things in this life and put the things of God first—-God will give us eternal life in heaven.
Jesus is coming to earth again in the clouds. He will judge people for what they have done.
Some will not die but they will see Jesus coming to earth.