Matthew Sixteen

One of the things Jesus did consistently was call out the Pharisees and Sadducees. In this chapter, He talks about the "Pharisee-Sadducee yeast."Anyone who is a baker knows how important the yeast is to the bread. The only way to get good bread is to have good yeast. The Pharisees and Sadducees were spreading their religious rules and rituals, which was the opposite of what Jesus was teaching.

In the middle of this chapter, Jesus confirms with His disciples that He is the Son of the Living God - the Messiah. He then told them to tell no one that He is the Messiah. His time had not yet fully arrived.

Jesus then predicts His death for the first time. The disciples are shocked. Jesus goes on to say:

Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am.

Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how.

Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, My way, to finding yourself, your true self.

What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself?

What could you ever trade your soul for?