Matthew 16:1-19
The Demand for a Sign to Believe
1 The Pharisees and Sadducees came to Jesus and tested him by asking him to show them a sign from heaven.
2 He replied, “When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times. 4 A wicked and adulterous generation looks for a sign, but none will be given it except the sign of Jonah.” Jesus then left them and went away.
5 When they went across the lake, the disciples forgot to take bread. 6 “Be careful,” Jesus said to them. “Be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.”
7 They discussed this among themselves and said, “It is because we didn't bring any bread.”
8 Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? 9 Do you still not understand? Don’t you remember the five loaves for the five thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 10 Or the seven loaves for the four thousand, and how many basketfuls you gathered? 11 How is it you don’t understand that I was not talking to you about bread? But be on your guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” 12 Then they understood that he was not telling them to guard against the yeast used in bread, but against the teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees.
13 When Jesus came to the region of Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples, “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”
14 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, Jeremiah or one of the prophets.”
15 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?”
16 Simon Peter answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
17 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. 18 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. 19 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.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
Jesus never said He was going to start a religion, but He did...He was so different in this sense that those who met Him were amazed and puzzled by what He could do and what He said...While He was on earth He gave us words that would never pass...And He tells us this...He does miracles regularly...And He goes around just forgiving people, like He is the One who IS SUPPOSED to do that...
The Pharisees and Sadducees questioned and tested Jesus at different times while He walked the earth...He told them indirectly that they would know who was when He was raised from His death, the Sign of Jonah...People were trying to figure out exactly who He was...I think we still do that today...We want to know why He came to earth, can we believe His teachings, and just who is He...Jesus asks His disciples “Who do people say the Son of Man is?”...This is a question all of need to answer...
Author and Christian Evangelist Josh McDowell tells us these things about Jesus, Christianity, and the Bible...“Many people entertain the idea that Christianity, like almost any other religion, is basically a system of beliefs-you know, a set of doctrines or a code of behavior, a philosophy, an ideology...But that's a myth...Christianity is not at all like Buddhism or Islam or Confucianism... The founders of those religions said (in effect), 'Here is what I teach...Believe my teachings...Follow my philosophy...' Jesus said, 'Follow Me' (Matthew 9:9)...Leaders of the world's religions said, 'What do you think about what I teach?'...Jesus said, 'Who do you say I AM?' (Luke 9:20)”...“Christianity is not a religion...Religion is humans trying to work their way to God through good works...Christianity is God coming to men and women through Jesus Christ.”...“You can laugh at Christianity, you can mock it and ridicule it...But it works...It changes lives...I should say Jesus Christ changes lives...Christianity is not a religion; it’s not a system; it’s not an ethical idea; it’s not a psychological phenomenon...It’s a Person...If you trust Christ, start watching your attitudes and actions because Jesus Christ is in the business of changing lives.”...“The words Jesus Christ are not a first and last Name; they are actually a Name and a Title...The name Jesus is derived from the Greek form of the name Jeshua or Joshua, meaning “Jehovah-Savior” or “the LORD saves.”...The title Christ is derived from the Greek word for Messiah (or the Hebrew Mashiach, see Daniel 9:26) and means “Anointed One.”...“The Old Testament records the preparation for the coming of the Messiah...The Gospels record the coming of the Messiah, Jesus Christ our LORD...The book of Acts records the propagation of the gospel (the good news) concerning Jesus Christ...The Epistles (letters) explain the gospel and its implications for our lives...The book of Revelation anticipates and describes the second coming of Jesus Christ and the establishment of His eternal kingdom...From beginning to end, the Bible glorifies Jesus Christ and centers on Him...Its Christ-centeredness is one of its wonderful features.”...“If one discards the Bible as unreliable historically, then he or she must discard all the literature of antiquity...No other document has as much evidence to confirm its reliability.”...“I spent months in research...I even dropped out of school for a time to study in the historically rich libraries of Europe...And I found evidence...Evidence in abundance...Evidence I would not have believed had I not seen it with my own eyes...Finally I could come to only one conclusion: If I were to remain intellectually honest, I had to admit that the Old and New Testament documents were some of the most reliable writings in all of antiquity.”...“I would say much of religious heresy is the result of a misunderstanding of the basic nature of God...And once we have a proper understanding of God, then usually most of the areas of our life coincide with who God is and what He desires for each one of us.”...“We've been given a mind innovated by the Holy Spirit to know God, as well as a heart to love Him and a will to choose Him...We need to function in all three areas to have a maximum relationship with God and to glorify Him.”...“My LORD and my God!’ Thomas exclaimed.” (John 20:26-28)....Jesus accepted Thomas’s acknowledgment of Him as God...He rebuked Thomas for his unbelief but not for his worship.”...“Many Christians claim to believe in Jesus, but only a minority can articulate good reasons for why their beliefs are true.”...“Apologetics is not listed as a spiritual gift for teachers, preachers, or evangelists, as though only some ought to become apologists...Rather, all Christians are called to be ready with an answer (1 Peter 3:15; Jude 3)...We all make a case for Christianity in some fashion or another—but are we doing it well?”...“People naturally have questions...They always have and always will...One of the key functions of apologetics, then, is to respond to questions and clear away objections people have that hinder their trust in Christ.”...“The question is not whether we are apologists, but what kind of apologists we are.”...“Do not underestimate the role you may play in clearing the obstacles in someone’s spiritual journey.”...