‌An Important Question

¹³ When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that the Son of Man is?” ¹⁴ They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.” ¹⁵ “But you,” he asked them, “who do you say that I am?” ¹⁶ Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” ¹⁷ Jesus responded, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but my Father in heaven. ¹⁸ And I also say to you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overpower it. ¹⁹ I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth will have been bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will have been loosed in heaven.” ²⁰ Then he gave the disciples orders to tell no one that he was the Messiah.

​Matthew 16:13–20 CSB

The question about Jesus’ identity, as seen by the disciples, was an important one. By this time, there were many opinions about who Jesus might be. Jesus had taught many times and performed many miracles by this time. His fame was growing greatly.

Verse 15 is the important verse in this section, though: “But you, who do you say that I am?” While there are many opinions about Jesus even today, the one that impacts our lives is who we see Jesus as.

Do you see Jesus as a good man… a wise teacher… a miracle worker… or do you see Him as He truly is: the one and only Son of God, the Savior of the world?

The answer to that question determines everything both in this life and the next. Seeing and trusting Jesus as Savior and Lord is the only thing that can bring forgiveness for our sins and a new life with God for all eternity.

In verse 17, Jesus shows that this truth comes to a person not because of great learning or education but by the work of the Holy Spirit in a person’s life. When you see Jesus as He truly is, you can be sure the Holy Spirit has revealed that to you and is inviting you to come and place your faith in Him.

This is where following Jesus starts. As the Holy Spirit opens the eyes of our hearts to the reality of who Jesus is and what He has done for us, He invites us to come and follow Him. It is a following that lasts for all eternity.

‌The Road Ahead

Some have called this life of following Christ a journey. I think that’s a good picture. It is a path that we walk with Him experiencing the new life He has for us. But the journey isn’t always easy.

In Matthew 16:21-23, Jesus begins to share plainly about what the road ahead looked like for Him.

²¹ From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. ²² Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!” ²³ Jesus turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.”

​Matthew 16:21–23 CSB

As Jesus began talking about His impending betrayal and death, it brought about a reaction from Peter that seemed bold. As Jesus tells about how He will be betrayed, killed, and resurrected, Peter pulls Jesus aside and rebukes Him.

This course did not fit into what Peter thought should be. He had been raised hearing about how the Messiah would come and bring deliverance to God’s people. He wasn’t supposed to die, much less be murdered.

How many times do we do this though? We have a way that we think things should go only to find out the Lord has something completely different in mind. We get frustrated in those moments. We even get bold enough to say that the Lord wouldn’t do that. How quickly we can forget that the Lord is a sovereign God who can do whatever He pleases, however He pleases.

Jesus warns Peter sharply. He says that Peter is not listening to the Lord but to Satan. Satan’s plans are not too hard to figure out. They always aim to keep the Lord’s plan from happening.

In Matthew 16:24-26, Jesus also shares about the road ahead for anyone who would be His follower.

²⁴ Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. ²⁵ For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. ²⁶ For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life?

​Matthew 16:24–26 CSB

Being a follower of Jesus is simple, but it is not easy. It is simple because all a person has to do is deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. It’s not easy because denying one’s self means that you no longer call the shots. Taking up a cross means that you will experience suffering in this life for your decision to follow Christ. Following Him means that you don’t get to choose the route or destination any longer. These are things we do not like to give up so easily.

‌The Focal Point

Jesus understood that the journey of following Him was not for the faint-hearted. There would be trials and tribulations for every person who chooses to follow Jesus in this life because of the sin that has cursed this world. As I’ve said before, Jesus did not want to have any “fine print” in the agreement. He wanted each person to know exactly what they would sign up for, but He didn’t just share the hardships that would come. He also shared the focus that would help anyone see the journey is worth it.

²⁷ For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each according to what he has done. ²⁸ Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.”

​Matthew 16:27–28 CSB

Jesus told those who were following Him about the coming Kingdom that He was setting up. What is interesting is that in Matthew 17, Jesus allows Peter, James, and John to see Him transfigured into a glorified state — what He would be like after the resurrection.

Jesus walked this earth as a man and knew the hardships that this life can throw at a person, but He also knew the end of the story. He knew that the Kingdom He was building would be worth any momentary trial a person might face here.

In His Kingdom, each person who follows Jesus experiences the reward of freedom from sin, freedom from shame, and an intimate relationship with the living God of the universe. What is better is that nothing can ever take that away.

³⁸ For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, ³⁹ nor height nor depth, nor any other created thing will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord.

​Romans 8:38–39 CSB

‌Final Thoughts

With the Summer Olympics coming up this summer, I’m always intrigued by the track and field events, especially the hurdles. These athletes run at lightning speed jumping over obstacles that are set before them. Any good trainer will tell you that to win in this event, you have to focus not on the obstacles or what’s around you but the finish line.

A life of following Jesus is much like the hurdles in track. You are on a path and there are many obstacles in the way. Some of those obstacles look too big to conquer in the moment. Some of us may have more obstacles than others. But one thing is the same: the finish line. Standing there at the finish line is the One who made the path and welcomes you into His glory.

When you focus on the Kingdom that He has called you to be part of, it is easier to deny ourselves, take up our cross and follow Him.