Read Matthew 16:1-17
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” (Matthew 16:21)
Has anyone ever said this to you: “I have some good news and some bad news. Which do you want to hear first?” Which do you pick? I usually pick hearing the bad news first, so I can end on a positive note.
In our text for today, we find Jesus interacting with His disciples about some good news and bad news. They have seen Jesus teach with unparalleled power and work wonders that were totally unexpected. He has certainly had His share of tough encounters with the religious establishment, but it really seems like He’s on a roll. He draws apart with those closest to them and says, “I have some good news and some bad news. Let me start with the bad news. We’re going to Jerusalem and I’m going to suffer and die there. But I will rise from death.”
The disciples are dead quiet until Peter, who has lost sight of the good news about resurrection, tells Jesus this is not the way it’s going to be. “This is never going to happen,” Peter declares in total denial. He does not understand that the bad news must come before the good news. If peace with God and peace on earth is truly going to come, Jesus must suffer. He must take all the suffering and death that a sinful, broken world and humanity can bring. But this suffering will not be the end. Instead, because of God’s power, Jesus’ death on the Cross will bring true peace with God for all humanity and for human beings one with another. The Apostle Paul later wrote of Jesus to a group of early Christians with these powerful words: “For he himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14a). This Advent, let us celebrate that His suffering brings us peace.
For Personal Reflection: Use the sermon discussion questions found bundled with today’s sermon. Missed the sermon? Catch up online at eastbrook.org/tisthereason.
by Matt Erickson
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