October 20: Matthew 16, Mark 8, Luke 9:1-17

October 20, Matthew 16, Mark 8, Luke 9:1-17

Matthew, Mark, and Luke continued…

Matthew 16

• The Pharisees & Sadducees demand to see Jesus’ signs & their teachings… These 2 groups were historically against each other but were united in the fact that they were against Jesus Christ. They were trying to test Jesus and He knew it. “An evil and adulterous generation seeks for a sign, but no sign will be given to it except the sign of Jonah.” As a point of reference, which we will get into later, Jesus is referring to His own Resurrection… They left their when they reach the other side they realized they had forgotten bread. It is also apparent that they had already forgotten what Christ had done by feeding the multitudes.  Jesus told them to be aware of the Pharisees and Sadducees and their faulty teaching.
• Peter and his confession of who Jesus is. Then Jesus asked His disciples who people were saying that He was. They told him some thought he was John the Baptist and others Elijah or a Prophet. Then Peter proclaims, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Peter was right. Jesus is God. Jesus is alive! Jesus blessed Peter for this confession and he's also tell him that he was going to build his church on Peter, this rock. Maybe a better way to put this, is that Jesus is going to build his church on Peter's confession. Do you agree with this confession?
• Jesus talks about His upcoming death & resurrection to get them prepared. Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He was to be killed by the religious people and that He will raise from the dead. Peter did not like what he was saying, & told Jesus this was not going to happen. Jesus rebuked Peter as he had his mind on the things of man and not the things of God. Peter would understand later. 
• The cost of following Jesus. You may have heard this famous saying, take up your cross and follow Me… Yeah - Jesus knew what was coming. In order to be considered a Christ follower, we must deny ourselves and give up what we want for what Christ wants. You cannot buy your salvation. The day will come on judgment Day when God will hold each person accountable for what he has done.

Mark 8

• Jesus feeds 4,000. This is a different time from when Jesus fed the 5,000 - but the premise is the same. Jesus had compassion on the people (mostly gentiles where He was at) and took care of them. When the crowds were fed they were happy they Glorified God. He is awesome.
• The Pharisees demand a sign and their leaven - same as above…
• Jesus heals a blind man! I know we have read about many healing and it never gets boring hearing about the power of Jesus Christ. This time Jesus healed the man in 2 parts, not immediate. This shows that sometimes healing take time…
• Peters confession, similar to above
• Jesus talks about His upcoming death & resurrection to get them prepared. Similar to above… Mark adds “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Do you have any shame that you are a follower of this Jesus?

Luke 9:1-17

• A good recap of all the other gospels. Instead of breaking it down, see above. 

To sum it all up: 

• Can you confess like Peter that Jesus is the Christ? If so, are you willing to deny your flesh and give up what you want so that Christ is exalted in your life?
• “For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” Are you proud to be a Christ follower or do you keep a low profile as you have shame?