14th Sunday after Pentecost Matthew 16:21-28

Preaching Commentary

At the Turning Point

Following Simon Peter’s climatic height of his faith, his confession that Jesus was the “Messiah, the Son of the living God,” Peter now exemplifies our humbling, human tendency to distrust God.

Just like in other gospel accounts, the turning point in Jesus’ ministry when he “resolutely set out for Jerusalem” (Luke 9:51) is precluded by first sharing with the Twelve that he will suffer, die, and rise there (e.g. 9:21-22; 9:43b-45; Matthew 16:21ff). The context for Peter’s contest, though, is not one in response to one instance of revelation, but rather a series of teachings over an unknown period of time, as we see framed in 16:21: “from that time on Jesus began to…