Jesus Predicts His Death

Matthew 16:21-28

Jesus had to get His disciples to understand that he was the Son of God come to earth and not just a man. Then he had to explain the reason He came. Jesus was gong to suffer and die, but more than that, on the third day he would rise.

Many have known they may be put to death for something they'd done, or by those who persecute them, but no one except the Son of God could raise Himself from the dead and say exactly when He would rise from the dead.

Jesus came to give His life, for man's sin, instead of ours. If Jesus didn't come to save us, we would be rejected by God because we are sinful.

Peter didn't understand this. He even tried to tell Jesus off for even suggesting he would die. But Jesus put Peter straight. Peter wasn't thinking about what Jesus said, he was thinking things in his own understanding. He couldn't imagine that Jesus would have to die, but He didn't see Gods plan to save mankind through the death and resurrection of Jesus.

Christians throughout the world and throughout time have had faced great opposition, ridicule and even death. As Jesus did, we must hand our lives over to God. This doesn't mean we lose our lives, it means that we find true life, what life is meant to be - real meaning and truth. It means denying sin and following God.

What good is it for a man if he gains the whole world yet loses his soul?

Jesus is gong to return and reward those who have 'carried the cross' - those who have walked in Jesus' footsteps - the plan of God.