Knowing Christ | Matthew 16:21-23

Scripture

• Matthew 16:21–23

About this sermon

Introduction: When our Lord told His disciples to tell no one that He was the Christ, we said that one reason for this would have been the widespread misunderstanding of who the Messiah was and what He came to do. Most Jewish people were looking for a Messiah unlike Jesus. Many people thought of the Messiah in political terms. Some thought of the Messiah in military terms. Most were thinking in terms of an immediate kingdom on earth. But almost none of them thought of the Messiah in SUBSTITUTIONARY terms. They were not looking for a Messiah who would redeem them by dying for them. They were not looking for a Messiah who would be rejected by their religious leaders. They were not looking for a Messiah who would be crucified, cursed by hanging on a tree. They were not thinking of the Messiah as one who would offer Himself as the sin sacrifice for the salvation of His people. They were not looking for a Messiah who would be raised from the dead, ascend into Heaven, and build His church, during this age we are living in, making use of men like Peter. EVEN JOHN THE BAPTIST WHO DESCRIBED JESUS AS THE LAMB OF GOD, SEEMED CONFUSED WHEN HE WAS IN PRISON AND THINGS WERE NOT PROGRESSING IN THE WAY HE HAD ENVISIONED (Matthew 11:2-3). SO THAT WHAT OUR VERSES TODAY REVEAL IS THAT OUR LORD’S CONCERN ABOUT THE WIDESPREAD PROCLAMATION OF HIM AS MESSIAH — at this stage — WAS NOT A CONCERN JUST ABOUT THE LOST MASSES. FOR THE DISCIPLES TO PROCLAIM JESUS AS THE MESSIAH BEFORE THE MASSES WOULD BE PREMATURE UNTIL HIS OWN DISCIPLES GRASPED THE TRUTH. HE WAS CONCERNED ABOUT THE UNDERSTANDING OF HIS OWN MEN. Peter confessed Him as Messiah and Son of God. That was a profound understanding, but they need to understand more. Their understanding of His purpose for coming into the world, and what they were about to face, was still greatly underdeveloped. Peter’s confession was not just his own. He was giving voice to what each believing disciple in that group had come to understand. In fact, when Andrew introduced Peter to Jesus he did so with the words “we have found the Messiah.” ESV John 1:41 He first found his own brother Simon and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which means Christ). So, it is not just Peter who believed what Peter confessed. PETER SPOKE FOR THE GROUP. You can also be sure that Peter’s error was not just his own. Once again, he serves as the spokesman for the group. When you read the gospel accounts in full, you will see that none of the disciples were expecting what was about to unfold. So, we look at these verses today and we think about the need for disciples to know and understand their Lord. • A TURNING POINT FOR THE MINISTRY OF JESUS (vs.21a) The verse begins by emphasizing a transition. “FROM THAT TIME.” That phrase points to a new phase in the ministry of Christ. Up until now, most of His teaching has been public, and some of His teaching has been private. But from this point on, most of His teaching will be privately given to the disciples, while some of His teaching will be public. JESUS IS GETTING HIS MEN READY FOR WHAT WILL BE COMING. We saw this same kind of transition statement earlier in Matthew when Jesus begins His public ministry in Galilee. After His temptation in the wilderness, and after the John the Baptist has been arrested and is off the scene, Matthew says: ESV Matthew 4:17 From that time Jesus began to preach, saying, "Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is at hand." That phrase pointed to the launching of His public ministry in Galilee. NOTICE THAT THIS TURNING POINT IS FOCUSED ON HIS OWN DISCIPLES. “From that time Jesus began to show His disciples…” Now it is time for an intense preparation period. To say that He “began” showing them, is to say that He will instruct them in this sort of way again and again. Much of what He will say to them they will not fully understand until later. But the hard drive is being loaded. The information will be Holy Spirit activated in the time that is coming, but what will be activated has to be imparted.

Topics

• Jesus Christ