The Great Rhetorical Question
Matthew 16:21-28
The Question That Jesus
Keeps Raising
• The context has the disciples coming into
greater recognition of who Jesus is
• This insight comes from the Father (v. 13, 17)
• In the Jewish mind, this discovery would
engender deep feelings and desires for final
victory
The Question That Jesus
Keeps Raising
• There were “Zealots” among Jesus’ disciples
• Matthew 10:4; Luke 6:15
• Jesus, starts talking about dying and
mistreatment, and Peter cannot fathom it
(v. 22)
The Question That Jesus
Keeps Raising
• We find they are in a process of being taken
to deeper levels of discipleship through the
crisis
• We too will be taken in this direction and
have to make decisions (Matthew 16:24)
• Jesus already is using the winnowing fork
(Matthew 3:12; Matthew 13)
A Two-Template Life
• Am I going to follow the king?
• Am I going to live for the world in this
moment?
• Alice through the Looking Glass
Staying Focused Is the Key
• The kingdom will fully come
• The kingdom has been inaugurated
• Matthew 28:19-20