“From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day” (Matthew 16:21).
Peter confessed “Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Mt. 16:16), and yet the next words of Christ were not the sounds the disciples desired to hear. Leading up to and after the announcement of the identity of Jesus, God’s program was seen and foretold.
There are many misunderstandings today in our church culture. We have misunderstood the times we are in. We believe the weather report but not the Word of God. Many fail to see what God is doing in their midst.
False doctrine is rampant today as well. The yeast of false preachers have overtaken many churches and the only remedy is to remove it by the second coming of Christ. We belong to the holy nation, the kingdom of God and not the Babylon of this temporal world.
The crowd also is confused about Jesus. Do not follow the crowd, instead, let the Father reveal His Son to you and in you and confess Him to others for He is the Son of God. God is on the lookout for man who is not confused about His Son.
Another misunderstanding is that His people are to pick up their cross and follow Him. God expects us to be honest enough to live it. It does mean suffering, pain, and denying self. The only way to live is to deny self and follow Christ by faith. We should have no room for trivial pursuit, but to do business with God.
Do we really desire the power of God? Without sweat and tears there is no power. Will we be quiet enough to hear Him, brave enough to proclaim Him, and honest enough to obey Him?