Lesson 16 – The King’s Identity Declared
Read Matthew 16 – www.bible.com/bible/59/mat.16 

The religious leaders now openly tested Jesus with questions with which they hoped to show He was inferior to their own knowledge or wisdom. They asked Him for signs. They refused to believe the things He’d done for the people – healing, freeing them from demons, feeding them. They wanted something spectacular. But Jesus had already defeated Satan when he demanded spectacular miracles, and He again refused to fall to temptation to display His God-abilities – and He did so by proving to them they wouldn’t accept His signs any more than they already accepted the things they were used to seeing.

But it wasn’t only the religious leaders who had trouble believing; even the disciples didn’t yet understand. Please notice, however, how differently Jesus talked with His followers than He had with the religious leaders. He refused to explain things to the religious people, but to those who were in the process of growing in faith in Him, He was very patient as He taught them the same lessons He’d taught them before. Anyone who comes to Jesus with sincere questions will never find Him harsh or accusing – see His promise in James 1:5. But to someone who comes having already decided to refuse any answer He will give, they will not find Him answering their questions. We must come in faith, believing.


Sometimes Jesus will also challenge us with questions, as He did the disciples when He asked who they and others thought He was. He always honors our statement of faith in Him. Jesus’ response to Peter’s statement of faith has led to questions about Jesus’ meaning. Jesus’ purpose was to build his church, not on Peter, but on his statement. When the church speaks in Christ’s name, the church opens the gates of heaven to those who believe his confession and closes them on those who do not.

But faith in Jesus is not a life without problems and having everything we set our hearts on achieving in this world. For the first time, Jesus told His disciples He was going to die. They didn’t understand, because this had never been a part of who they were taught the Messiah would be. They only understood Him as the victorious King who would set their people free.

But Jesus expanded His word about His death to also include the disciples. They too must be willing to give up everything in this world that had any value to them here. His are sobering words – “what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?”

Faith in Jesus costs us everything this world could possibly ever offer us in this life. But in return we will receive a life and a home that has no equal on this earth!

*Are there any dreams or desires in this life you have not yet given to Him in exchange for all He wants to give you for eternity?