Read Matthew 16:1-4

This encounter between Jesus and the religious leaders poses a significant challenge to us. It prompts us to reflect on our approach to faith. Do we, like the Pharisees and Sadducees, seek extraordinary proofs from God, overlooking the everyday miracles that manifest His presence? The sunrise, the intricate beauty of nature, the miracle of life itself—aren’t these all evidences of God’s majesty and love?

Jesus’ mention of the “sign of Jonah” is particularly profound. He likened His own forthcoming death, burial, and resurrection to Jonah’s three days and nights in the belly of a giant fish. This was to be the ultimate sign—a testament to God’s love and the redemption of humanity.

God teaches us that true faith doesn’t continually demand signs. It rests in the known character of God and His demonstrated faithfulness. Our belief shouldn’t hinge solely on witnessing the miraculous, but should be grounded in the truth of God’s Word and His unchanging nature.

A critical lesson from this passage is the danger of a hardened heart. The Pharisees and Sadducees, despite their extensive religious knowledge, were blinded by their preconceptions and pride. This serves as a caution to us, to remain open to God’s revelations, even when they challenge our existing beliefs or expectations.

As followers of Christ, our lives shouldn’t be a relentless pursuit of signs, but instead, we should find assurance in what Christ has already accomplished on the cross. The resurrection of Jesus is the greatest sign given to humanity, and our faith should be anchored in this event.

1. Take a moment to pause and reflect on the religious leaders demanding a sign, and Jesus, with deep insight, responding to their request. What emotions or thoughts does this evoke in you?
2. Why do you think Jesus focused His warning on the yeast of the Pharisees and not on sinners and the influence they might have on His disciples? What do you think He’s saying about the nature of religion and of true righteousness?

Read Matthew 16:13-23

Jesus asks His disciples an interesting question to see what the disciples thought of Him. He says, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?” What does this title even mean? In the Old Testament, the Messiah was also referred to as the Son of Man by Daniel after he had a vision of glory of an everlasting kingdom being given to the Son of Man. The Jewish people knew the Lord would send them a Savior and Redeemer one day, but they didn’t know much else which is why they speculated who it might be.

Although Jesus alluded to Himself being the Son of Man in some conversations, He still never directly stated, “I am the Son of Man.” Jesus doesn’t ask His disciples who they’ve heard people say the Son of Man might be because He’s concerned with what others think of Him. He asks them because He knows we often worry or consider what other people think. In order to challenge them to consider what they believe themselves, He asks them this first.

Oftentimes, the Lord will prompt our hearts to consider questions like these—questions that involve looking around us at what we’re hearing and seeing from others—so He can then ask us to evaluate what we’re believing and allowing to enter our hearts and minds. After the disciples answer His question, He then asks them the more important one: “But what about you? Who do you say that I am?”

This is when Peter steps in and boldly declares, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” This was very significant because it’s the first time someone directly professed that Jesus was the Messiah and the Son of God. Jesus Himself had never explicitly taught or claimed His true and full identity to others because His purpose was to reveal it through His actual life. For this reason, Jesus calls Peter blessed and says the Father revealed this to him. This story is important because the proclamation of Peter’s personal faith is the same declaration Jesus awaits from others who are wanting to follow Him.

This is what faith is all about—who we believe Jesus to be. God reveals Himself in Jesus and He unveils the blinders from our eyes, but it’s our decision to choose whether we believe Jesus is the Son of God, our Savior, and our Redeemer. Jesus didn’t want anyone to know this then because He knew they wouldn’t be ready to truly receive Him. He hadn’t finished His sacrificial work yet, but now He has! So, the question remains: Who do you say Jesus is?

3. What are some qualities and titles that belong to Jesus?
4. What does Peter’s profession of faith in Jesus as Messiah mean? What does Jesus mean when He says, “on this rock I will build my church”?
5. Soon after his big moment and the profession of faith the Spirit revealed to Peter, Jesus rebukes him with the words, “Get behind me, Satan!” Have you found yourself in a situation like Peter? Has a well-intentioned friend ever lied to you to make you feel better? How have both scenarios made you feel?

This Week

Take a moment to do a heart check with the Holy Spirit. Are you checking off the religious boxes when it comes to reading your Bible, prayer, giving, serving, etc.? Do you sense any pride or self-righteousness when it comes to how well you’re doing in your Christian walk?

Memory Verse

“When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say the Son of Man is?’ They replied, ‘Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’ ‘But what about you?’ he asked. ‘Who do you say I am?’ Simon Peter answered, ‘You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus replied, ‘Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.’ Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.”—Matthew 16:13–20 (NIV)

Prayer Guide

Father God, thank You for revealing Yourself to us in Jesus! Thank You Jesus for walking on earth as the Son of God and the Son of Man, our Savior and Redeemer, and for bridging the gap between us and God. I know You’re victorious and alive! You’re my true King, and I want to keep serving and worshiping You every day of my life regardless of what others think or who they say You are. I love You Jesus. Amen.

If you have questions you aren’t sure of, please reach out to us at CalvaryFTL.org/Questions.