by The theme of Matthew 16 is faith. In 16:1-4, the Pharisees had no faith. In 16:5-12, the disciples had “little faith.” In 16:13-20, by faith Peter acknowledges Jesus is the Messiah. In 16:21-28, Jesus declares His work on the cross before asserting how one is to be His disciple. Matthew 16:24 outlines becoming His disciple, concluded with the words “follow me.”
When we were born, we were exactly where the Pharisees were, with no faith, unsaved. Jesus said in 16:24, “If any man will come after me.” This is salvation, just as Jesus said in Luke 16:4, we have to follow Him to the get to the Father. After salvation we were where exactly where the disciples were, with “little faith.” Our next step was to “add to your faith” (2 Peter 1:5-9). Jesus went on in 16:24 and said, “let him deny himself.” This is our surrender, presenting ourselves to our Savior for His will to be done through us (Romans 12:1-2). Jesus went on in 16:24 and said, “and take up his cross.” This is our submission to our Savior, making Him the Lord of our lives, something that was not necessary for salvation but is a necessary step to becoming a true disciple.
As a believer, we can still be following the god of this world, Satan. Jesus made this plainly clear to Peter in 16:23. We can only serve the one we follow, and we cannot serve God and this world at the same time (Matthew 6:24). In 16:24, Jesus declares how one becomes His disciple, “follow me.” Though Peter was physically following Jesus, in 16:23 his heart was not following, he “savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
What difference does it make if we become His disciple, since we are already going to Heaven anyway? Jesus answers this in 16:27, “he shall reward every man according to his works.” These works are whatever works we do in order to obey His words, “follow me.” Our eternal rewards are determined by how we work here, in this church, serving God where He planted us (2 Corinthians 5:10-11; 1 Corinthians 3:11-15). Your eternal destiny is not determined by the phrase “follow me,” but your eternal rewards are.
So, are you truly a disciple of Jesus Christ?
