Read the Modern Pastor’s Version

The Pharisees and Sadducees approached Jesus, demanding a sign from heaven. But when it comes to weather forecasts, you're more likely to predict clear skies at night if the sky appears red, only to contradict yourself the next morning when you claim foul weather is on its way. You can read the signs of nature with ease, but when it comes to understanding what's happening in your own time and circumstances, you're clueless.

An entire generation is consumed by evil desires and has a history of seeking signs and wonders rather than trusting God's word. But I'm not going to give them another sign; instead, they'll have to accept the one that was given - the sign of Jonah. And so, Jesus walked away from their demands, leaving them behind.

As his disciples crossed over to the other side, they forgot all about bread. "Don't be fooled by the yeast of the Pharisees and Sadducees," Jesus warned them. They wondered among themselves why they'd forgotten bread, and Jesus saw right through their reasoning. "You lack faith and keep debating because you neglected to bring any bread?" he asked.

"Don't you remember how we fed those five thousand men with just five loaves of bread and still had baskets left over? Or what about the seven loaves that fed four thousand people, with plenty of leftovers as well?" Jesus reminded them. "Why can't you grasp the fact that I was talking to you about bread all along?"

At last, they realized he was pointing out their lack of faith in him - and they should have known better by now. But instead of learning from this experience, they let themselves get distracted again.

As Jesus entered the regions around Caesarea Philippi, he asked his disciples what people were saying about who he was. Some thought he might be John the Baptist or Elijah or Jeremiah or one of the other prophets come back to life. But then he turned the question to Peter: "But what do you think? Who am I?"

Peter responded with conviction, "You are the Messiah, the Son of God!" Jesus praised him for this insight, saying that his Father in heaven had revealed it to him. And then Jesus made a stunning declaration: "I'm going to build my church on you, Peter - and nothing can stop its progress." He gave Peter the keys to unlock the kingdom's secrets, with authority that would be recognized both on earth and in heaven.

Jesus instructed his disciples not to reveal who he was, not yet. Then he began telling them about what was coming next: his journey to Jerusalem, where he'd face rejection, suffering, death at the hands of the leaders, and finally, his resurrection on the third day.

Peter took Jesus aside, trying to shield him from this path that lay ahead. But Jesus firmly pushed Peter back, saying, "Get behind me, Satan! Your thoughts are clouded by human concerns, not God's will." Then he spoke a powerful message to all his followers: "If anyone wants to follow me, they must give up their self-interest and take up their cross - just like I'm about to do. If you try to preserve your life, it'll slip right through your fingers, but if you're willing to sacrifice yourself for my sake, you'll find true life."

What good is gaining the whole world when you lose your soul in the process? What price could be paid to redeem one's very existence? Jesus made clear that his return would bring a reckoning, with the Son of Man appearing in all glory alongside his angels, rewarding each person according to their deeds.

And as for some people standing there, listening to this message - they would live to see the day when the Son of Man comes in power and establishes his kingdom.