耶稣就问门徒，人说祂是谁？耶稣的问题引导门徒反思信仰焦点。从社会的观点来看，人们对耶稣有许多片面的理解，如先知、宗教领袖等，但耶稣渴望门徒超越人群的认知，追求真实的认识。

2. 彼得对耶稣的宣认（V15-17)
彼得大胆宣认耶稣是‘基督’（受膏者、救主）和‘永生神的儿子’。这不仅表达了对耶稣身份的理解，更表明了对祂的信靠。耶稣指出彼得之所以能宣认，是因为天父的启示，而非凭借血肉之体的智慧。

耶稣在彼得的宣认基础上，指出教会的根基是基督的身份。而天国的钥匙象征教会分享福音和赦罪的权柄。教会蒙召去执行神的旨意，影响这个世界，借着福音带领别人经历生命的转变。

耶稣清楚地向门徒预言自己将要受苦、被杀并在第三日复活。然而，彼得却拉着耶稣劝阻祂。耶稣严厉斥责彼得：“撒但，退我后边去！”因为彼得并未明白神的计划，而是体贴人的意思。

耶稣进一步教导：“若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架，来跟从我。” 舍己并不是简单地放弃某些外在的东西，而是让基督的意念取代我们自己的意念。背十字架意味着愿意顺服基督，即便过程伴随痛苦、牺牲和误解。

耶稣提醒门徒，一个人若追求短暂的世俗成就，而忽略永恒的意义，那将是极大的损失。只有为基督而活的人才能进入永恒的丰盛。

要有舍己的决心

愿我们都能坚定跟随基督，走在通向永恒的道路上！

Matthew Chapter 16:

On the Path of Eternity

GK611 Morning Devotion
20/12/2024
The Morning Devotion Speaker: Ps Stella

The Price of Choice and the Meaning of Eternity

1. Overcome temptation (V1-4)

Despite their obvious differences, the Pharisees and Sadducees joined forces to test Jesus and demand a sign from heaven. Jesus refused to respond to their request, pointing out their spiritual blind spot: they could tell the weather but not the coming of the Messiah. Jesus mentioned the miracle of Jonah (a type of His death and resurrection), which was the ultimate and most powerful miracle, but hard-hearted people still refused to accept it.

How can we overcome temptation? We are to rely on God’s Word, just like Jesus’ example of using scripture to resist the temptations of the devil in the wilderness. In addition, we must also be wary of spiritual pride and humbly accept God’s leadership.

The teachings that Jesus brought out from the Pharisees and Sadducees were like leaven, penetrating and affecting the entire dough, representing the corruption of the human heart by false teachings. The disciples thought Jesus was referring to food, but Jesus reminded them to focus on spiritual truths, not material needs.

Are wrong values eroding our lives today, such as utilitarianism, relativism or materialism? We need to develop spiritual discernment through regular study of God’s Word, prayer, and spiritual disciplines. In addition, we must also practice the truth in our lives and avoid staying at the level of knowledge.

Jesus asked his disciples, who do people say He is? Jesus’ questions lead the disciples to reflect on the focus of their faith. From a social point of view, people have many one-sided understandings of Jesus, such as prophets, religious leaders, etc., but Jesus longed for his disciples to transcend the cognition of the crowd and pursue true understanding/p>

2) Peter’s confession of Jesus (V15-17)

Peter boldly professed that Jesus was the ‘Christ’ (the Anointed One, the Savior) and the ‘Son of the Living God’. This not only expresses an understanding of Jesus’ identity, but also demonstrates trust in Him. Jesus pointed out that Peter’s confession was due to the revelation of the Father, not the wisdom of flesh and blood.

Building on Peter’s confession, Jesus pointed out that the foundation of the church is the identity of Christ. The keys to the kingdom of heaven symbolize the church’s authority to share the gospel and forgive sins. The church is called to carry out God's will, impact the world, and lead others to experience life transformation through the gospel.

Jesus clearly predicted to his disciples that he would suffer, be killed, and rise again on the third day. However, Peter pulled Jesus to dissuade Him. Jesus severely rebuked Peter: "Get behind me, Satan!" Because Peter did not understand God's plan but was considerate of human thoughts.