Show Don't Tell: Matthew 16:21-28

Instead of saying "Jesus predicted his death and rebuked Peter," feel the whiplash. Right after Peter's great confession, Jesus begins to explain: he must go to Jerusalem, suffer many things, be killed, and on the third day be raised. Peter takes him aside to rebuke him: "Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you!" The same lips that confessed "You are the Messiah" now tell the Messiah he's wrong. Jesus turns: "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." From blessed to Satan in moments. Then to all disciples: "Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me." Cross—not inconvenience but execution. "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it."