When Jesus revealed to his disciples that he must suffer, be killed, and be raised from the dead, Peter strongly objected. Even though he had confessed Jesus as his Lord and the Messiah, he could not accept the way of the Messiah. He was not alone in desiring glory and grace without suffering. This attitude made him a stumbling block to Jesus in fulfilling God's will.
Being a disciple of Jesus is being able to say ‘no’ to our human concerns and personal desires, and to follow the way of Jesus (24). Such denial of self may feel like losing life in the world, but we are working toward eternal life in heaven (25). And we will be recognized by Jesus himself on the day of his second coming (27).
Jesus showed the example of taking up the cross by denying himself and following the will of God the Father (Mt 26:39). Would you be willing to follow our Lord Jesus and obey God’s will above human success, approval, and security in the world to receive eternal life that does not fade away?
Jul 17, 2026
THE WAY OF DISCIPLESHIP
Passage: Matthew 16:21-28
Key verse: 24
NIV
chapter 16
21. 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.
22. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
23. Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
24. Then Jesus said to his disciples, "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
25. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.
26. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?
27. For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
28. "Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Prayer: Father, thank you for Jesus, who took up the cross to fulfill your will to save a sinner like me and to give me a new life in you. Please teach me to deny myself and obey your will, following Jesus' example, and encourage my brothers and sisters, rather than being a stumbling block with my human ideas.
One Word: Follow Jesus