The Scripture reading for this Sunday is Matthew 16:21-28.

“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, chief priests, and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.” – Matthew 16:21

In Matthew’s Gospel, this verse marks a transition in Jesus’ ministry. At the beginning of Jesus’ ministry in the Gospel of Matthew, just after the Jesus was tempted before his ministry began and the comment that Jesus would live in Capernaum and preach in that region (fulfilling Old Testament prophecy), Matthew tells us, “From that time on Jesus began to preach, ‘Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near.’” (Matthew 4:17) Now, after Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the living God, Jesus begins to instruct his closest disciples of all that will come because of who He is. To make this transition, Matthew uses the same wording which he used to mark the beginning of Jesus ministry – From that time on Jesus began to explain …

So there is this transition from Kingdom announcements to passion predictions; from public announcements to disciple training. This transition was necessary, for the disciples needed to be prepared, encouraged, strengthened for what was about to come.

Jesus told his disciples that He must go to Jerusalem. He must suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests, and teachers of the law. He must be killed. He must be raised on the third day to life again.

This is not what the disciples had in mind. Peter sure didn’t like it, in fact he disliked it so much that he dared to pull Jesus aside (his Rabbi) and tell him that he was outright wrong. “God forbid this ever happen to you!” Peter and the rest of the disciples didn’t like the idea of Jesus going to the cross. There had to be a better way, an easier way, a more effective way for the Messiah to come. After all, what would they gain from a crucified Jesus? Who would kick out the Romans? Who would restore David’s throne? So perhaps the cross was just one choice among many – that’s what Peter tried to convince Jesus of – and the other options would be better. Anything had to be better than the cross. The cross was revolting.

But Jesus insists: He must go to the cross. The Greek word used in Matthew’s Gospel is “dei” meaning, “It is necessary.” It is not an option. It’s not a matter of personal preference. Jesus must go.

It was necessary for the disciples. It was necessary for me. It was necessary for you. That’s a sobering thought. Jesus had to suffer greatly for us. Jesus died a shameful death for us. The cross was a death machine reserved for criminals and enemies of Rome. It was gruesome.

But the cross isn’t just about death anymore. Because of Jesus the cross has been transformed. It is now the way of life. As Jesus went to the cross he said that if anyone wants to be his disciple they must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Him. Here the cross becomes a metaphor for discipleship; a disciple must deny themselves (die to self will), take up their cross (embrace God’s will, no matter the cost), and follow Jesus.

In a world that values choice and options, as Christians we can be like Peter and look at this necessity as one option among many. But that’s not the case. It was necessary for Jesus to go to the cross for us. And it’s necessary for us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus.

This is the way of life. Carrying a cross is never easy, denying ourselves for the sake of God’s will is never easy, following Jesus faithfully is never easy … but true life – now and eternally – is found only in Christ and in following Him. 

Do we understand this necessity? Or, for us, is it just an option?