About the Text
(21)What is the meaning of this verse?
Eternal life is worth far more than anything on earth.
(21) Why did Jesus have to suffer and die on a cross? To pay the penalty
for our sin, so that we who believe may have eternal life. This is called substitutionary
atonement a big word that simply means that Jesus Christ took away the problem of sin
(i.e. messing up against God) by suffering punishment as our substitute, so that believers
may receive the joyful, abundant, eternal life in Jesus Christ. Jesus came to earth and
was bom for the purpose of performing this very task.
(23) Why did Jesus call Peter "Satan"? It was not to be
insulting. Rather, Jesus truthfully pointed out that Satan was using Peter to oppose the
work of Jesus.
(23) Why did Jesus claim that Peter had his mind on the "things of men"?
Peter supposed that God would never allow good Christians, especially Jesus Christ, to
suffer. This is error. It is still being propagated today. Jesus rightly points out that
such an idea is not from God, but from the wrong imaginations of the human mind.
(24) What does "taking up his cross" mean? In Jesus' day,
taking up a cross means to grasp the horizontal bar of a made of two pillars of wood, drag
it from the place of judgment to the place of execution, endure ridicule and mockery from
the crowd, be nailed onto the cross, and finally die.
(25) What does Jesus mean hy this verse? Those who strive to preserve
only their earthly life will lose their eternal life. But those who are willing give up
this meaningless earthly quest, and put their trust in Jesus Christ, will find a new life
of blessedness.
Even as Christians, we all still cling to our old dreams: the dream house, dream car, dream job. Although riches and earthly pleasures are not evil in themselves, Christ calls us to totally abandon these old dreams, and follow Him instead. To those who do follow Christ, God gives all that they need for a life of eternal blessedness.
(27) If salvation is a free gift from God, then why
does God give rewards? To give us hope through times of hardship. Your obedience
to God during these times will not go unnoticed. Although we can never do anything that
could merit or earn the eternal life from God, there are nevertheless extra gifts for
those who serve Him faithfully. See Matthew 5:12, 1 Cor 3:10-15.
(28) 15 Christ here speaking of His second coming? Yes and no. He is
speaking of His transfiguration (see chap. 17) which was a "sneak preview" of
His glorious second coming.
Insights
Christ opposes the Christian's search for "easy street" on earth. (v.21-23)
Christ calls for our obedience even in times of hardship.
(v.
24,25)
Reason to obey #1: our earthly life is only temporary. (v.26)
Reason to obey #2: there is a reward when Christ returns. (v.27, 28)
The Bottom Line
Let go, and follow Jesus. What is keeping you from following Jesus wholeheartedly? What's keeping you from praying more fervently, serving more diligently, giving more generously, and worshipping more faithfully? For most of us, it's our quest for the easy life that gets in the way of our spiritual growth. In other words, when we go out of our way to buy that dream home, land that cushy job, or prepare for early retirement, it can get in the way of living a life that is truly pleasing to God.
Don't worry, God will never forsake you who believe. He loves you so much that He send Christ to die on the cross to take the punislunent that you and the rest of us deserved. Because of that same love, God will also guide, save, strengthen, and protect you through any hardship. He loves you so. Doesn't He deserve your wholehearted conttnltment?
Key Memory Verses
Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himseff and take up his cross and follow me." Matthew 16:24)