August 30, 2026 Text: Matthew 16:21-28
Dear Friends in Christ,
Are you ready to go on a journey? Some journeys we enjoy. A trip we have been waiting to go on. A visit to see the children and grandchildren. Some journeys we do not want to take.
Something that has happened to many of you in recent years, which is inconvenient, and I hear you grumble about, is the sending people out of town for medical care. Peoria, Champaign, Springfield, St. Louis, Chicago. Instead of 10-15 minutes to go see a loved one, it is an hour or more and it can take up most of the day.
For the first time in Matthew’s Gospel, Jesus today predicts his suffering, death and resurrection. And Jesus tells the disciples – and us – that we are going along.
“LET’S TAKE A JOURNEY”
The Lord called many to take a journey. Noah had no idea where that ark was heading. He had to trust the Father who knew the way. The call of Abraham came with few details. He had to trust his Maker. The disciples left boats and tax stands for a lifelong journey of faith. When Jesus asks us to go somewhere and we react, “Do what?” We need to trust that going anywhere with Jesus will make the journey worth it.
Jesus allowed the disciples to face problems so that they could learn more about His care. He was patient when they struggled with greatness or a lack of faith on the choppy waters. We grow when we journey. Think of everything you have learned on a trip. Historical, practical, and patience. Toni and I had that coming back from Germany and our bomb threat earlier this year in Aruba. You have your own, “I had to stay patient” story.
As Jesus forms us, He also leads us. This happens in prayer and through His grace. His forgiveness leads us to forgive. We serve in different ways. What challenge awaits?
Where might we be sent. The disciples were sent all over the modern world. Their footprints dot the landscape and are still places that people journey to today. This is also our mission. To love people in Christ both near and far.
Peter’s discipleship in our text wasn’t complete, because he doesn’t realize crosses will be involved. He expects a coronation not a crucifixion. He thinks he is doing the right thing by telling Jesus this shouldn’t happen. This is a natural reaction. We try to do this with our kids or our parents or a spouse. We want to save them from pain. This can’t always be the case. Sometimes pain is gain. At that moment Peter was speaking for Satan. Jesus rebukes. Jesus had to go to the cross. There was no other option. When you speak the Gospel, there is always the chance you will suffer for it. There is no other option. We need to be bold in our living the words of Christ.
Jeremiah in our Old Testament writes, “Why is my pain unceasing?” He suffered for the Gospel. Paul and Silas imprisoned in Philippi. The persecutions of standing for the faith are still prevalent today. When you are committed to the Gospel this is part of the journey.
When you journey with your cross remember that Jesus carried his for us. We struggle with denial and cross bearing. We try to live with a foot in each kingdom – the world and the spiritual realm. Our pesky sinful nature journeys on.
When Jesus says to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan” (v. 23), it is not a command for Peter to go away. Peter has not been fired or expelled from the twelve. Jesus instead is calling him to “get back in line.” Our crosses always follow Jesus’ cross. It is not what Peter wanted for him, but Jesus knew the cross was what we all need. It is the cross of Jesus that made us God’s people again by removing the sin that separated us from the Father. As God’s people, in our baptism into Jesus’ death, we become his disciples. Which means we journey with crosses. “But whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (v. 25b). We have found it, life eternal, when “the Son of Man…comes with his angels in the glory of his Father.” (v. 27a)
When I was growing up in Argenta, everything was 15-20 minutes away – church, the mall, the doctor, the grocery. But those journeys always varied in my mind. If it was a birthday party at Monical’s with my friends, it seemed like we couldn’t get there fast enough. If I was going to the doctor, my parent’s car sped like a rocket ship. Because I suffered constantly from strep throat, that journey usually meant a shot in the gluteus maximus, that I was not too fond of. That pain was gain. My fever and throat were better within 24 hours.
Some of our journeys involve crosses – be they pain or inconvenience or persecution. They make us better Christians. Jesus continues to forgive and to form us as disciples – to call and teach and lead and send us. He also prays for us, he protects, He guides. Journey on – but not alone! Amen.