Today’s Reading: Matthew 16:5-20; Mark 8:14-21, 27-30; Luke 9:18-20

SPEAKING FIGURATIVELY

Later, after they crossed to the other side of the lake, the disciples discovered they had forgotten to bring any bread. “Watch out!” Jesus warned them. “Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.” At this they began to argue with each other because they hadn’t brought any bread. – Matthew 16:5-7

The disciples were struggling with distinguishing when Jesus was speaking to them in literal terms and when he was speaking figuratively. He often spoke to them in parables but they still had not figured out how to relate the words of Jesus to real life situations. They were missing the meaning of what Jesus was trying to teach them because they were thinking in human terms instead of spiritual concepts.

Jesus knew what they were saying, so he said, “You have so little faith! Why are you arguing with each other about having no bread? Don’t you understand even yet? Don’t you remember the 5,000 I fed with five loaves and the baskets of leftovers you picked up? Why can’t you understand that I’m not talking about bread? So again I say, ‘Beware of the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees.’”

Then at last they understood that he wasn’t speaking about the yeast in bread, but about the deceptive teaching of the Pharisees and Sadducees. – Matthew 16:8-12

SPEAKING LITERALLY

Jesus must have been so frustrated with their lack of understanding and their simplistic thinking, but he took the time to meet them where they were at and help bring them to where he needed them to be. He understood their confusion and patiently went back to square one with them:

“Who do people say that the Son of Man is?”
“Well,” they replied, “some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah, and others say Jeremiah or one of the other prophets.”
Then he asked them, “But who do you say I am?”
Simon answered, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”
Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you.” – Matthew 16:13b-17a

We often need a reminder of who God is when we are going through a time of uncertainty or confusion. Our Heavenly Father will reveal Himself to us if we will simply look beyond our earthly understanding to see things from God’s perspective. Not only will He help us understand who He is, He will help us understand who He is calling us to be.

Jesus replied, “You are blessed, Simon son of John, because my Father in heaven has revealed this to you. You did not learn this from any human being. Now I say to you that you are Peter (which means ‘rock’), and upon this rock I will build my church, and all the powers of hell will not conquer it. And I will give you the keys of the Kingdom of Heaven. Whatever you forbid on earth will be forbidden in heaven, and whatever you permit on earth will be permitted in heaven.” – Matthew 16:17-19

Peter knew who Jesus was because God had revealed it to him. He knew that Jesus was the promised Messiah, the Son of God Himself, and no one needed to tell him that. God had opened Peter’s eyes and given him understanding because He had a plan for Peter’s life and for the life of all of Jesus’ disciples — to build the church by spreading the truth about who Jesus is.

Lord, give us eyes to see who you are and give us a heart to pursue your call on our lives. Give us understanding and reveal the meaning of your word to us so that we can help others find their way to you. Amen.