Fear No Fear

(All scripture from Lexham English Bible, Copyright 2012 Logos Bible Software)

“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life on account of me will find it. For what will a person be benefited if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? Or what will a person give in exchange for his life?.’” (Matthew 16:24-26)

Chapter sixteen starts with the Pharisees and the Sadducees demanding a sign from Jesus. As if there weren’t any they could believe in. Jesus warned His disciples about their religious attitude and how it can creep in and spoil proper teaching. When asked, Peter gets a revelation from the Holy Spirit that Jesus’ identity is actually the Son of God, the Anointed One. Jesus was glad the revelation came to them, but told them not to tell others – He knew they would look for physical things from His spiritual mission. When He started talking about the sacrifice He would have to make as Isaiah 53’s Suffering Servant, Peter demanded that He stop talking because they would NEVER let Him suffer or die. Jesus condemned the idea. He was here to serve the will of the Father, not do whatever He wanted. Humble submission from LOVE to obedience to the will of God takes sacrifice. It is simple, not easy. And it is not a once and done thing.

Chapter seventeen starts about a week later. Jesus goes up a mountain with Peter, James, and James’ brother John. While there, the Light that Jesus carried inside Himself shone out, giving them a glimpse of how Jesus looked in the Spirit. They heard the Father’s audible voice declaring His pleasure with Jesus and Jesus’ actions. The voice also issued a command: LISTEN to Him. Jesus commanded them not to tell anyone until after His resurrection. When they got back down, there was a man who had brought his son for healing, but the disciples could not cast out the demon. Jesus did. When asked how He managed it, Jesus taught them that the trust in God to heal comes from prayer and fasting. If you don’t build up your spiritual strength, you can’t do anything. They went to Galilee and Jesus again predicted His death and resurrection. He was preparing them for hard times. He was equipping them with something to trust in and believe in during those times (that He WOULD be resurrected on the third day). When they got to Capernaum it was Temple tax time. Jesus showed Peter that the Father is THE Source. If you trust in the Father, your needs are met – even if it means supernatural circumstances. Jesus told Peter to go fishing. The first fish he pulled up would have the tax for Jesus AND for Peter. Jesus had no problem with paying taxes.

Chapter eighteen is the start of a teaching-heavy segment of Matthew. As the end approaches, Jesus wants to make sure the disciples are equipped. That everyone who hears Him is getting TRUTH. Jesus talks about pride and humbleness. Jesus talks about how it is better to receive a bodily injury than it is to teach untruth in ANY way. Jesus teaches about the preciousness of every single person. That God is seeking each and every one of them to see them saved. Jesus teaches about the importance of dealing with our grievances face to face, then with the two or three witnesses to the truth, and then to let them be – without bitterness – until they decide to come around (without being there to poison the atmosphere). Jesus taught about the importance of agreement in groups to the will of the Father in seeing that will come to pass on Earth. It was the first in an expansion of His teaching on the Believer’s Authority in Him. Jesus taught about the importance of forgiveness. That since the Father has forgiven us so VERY much, we have no right to demand recompense of those around us. Since HE is forgiving in nature, WE should be forgiving in OUR nature. If we will choose to be unforgiving in our nature, holding things against one another, then we will be treated the same way when OUR turn comes. Forgiveness should be part and parcel of who we are.

Summary

Key Players: God, Jesus, Disciples, Sadducees, Pharisees, Jews

Key Verse(s): Matthew 16:5-12; 17:14-23; 18:21-35