Following the announcement by Jesus of his coming demise and victory, and his harsh rebuke of Peter for undermining it, he now turns to the people. He informs them that if they want to follow him and receive eternal life, they must die. In this play on words, Jesus means to encourage them to deny their own selves in order to receive the future, glorious inheritance.

Jesus asks his discples two questions about his identity. Who does the world think he is, and who do they think he is- Peter's outstanding confession that Jesus is the Christ is immediately undermined by his attempted rebuke of Jesus. The Son of God's rebuke of Peter is unique in its harshness, as he calls Peter a -satan-, an opposer of his mission. The sterness of the put-down shows how important it is to know who Jesus really is. He saves eternally, not in the carnal sense Peter expected.

Chapter 8 describes a set of events that parallel those in the previous two chapters. Yet they are distinct accounts. Another mass catering operation is followed by rebukes to Pharisees and disciples. Disciples today are likewise warned to beware of the leaven, or -yeast-, of unbelief, false religion and bad doctrine. Leaven is a small ingredient, but it can -give rise- to terrible consequences.

This healing account might appear slightly unusual to the modern reader, but Jesus was simply visualizing for the man what he would do for him. We learn the way he comes to each of his elect people is likewise unique. We see the episode has allusions to OT prophecy about the new age of the gospel we live in. And we see in every aspect of Christ's work that he does all things well.

There are three perspectives on this account of the woman pleading for crumbs from the master's table- the literal understanding, the Jewish one she understood, and most importantly the spiritual one that concerns the true Israel of God. The master, Jesus Christ, dispenses the bread of the gospel to unbelievers and forever grants them a seat at his table.

Jesus explains to his disciples that it isn't what a man eats that defiles him in a proper sense. We're made unclean through sin, and Jesus gives a list of some of them. He uses particular sins to bring conviction on sinners and encourage the Christian's self-examination. For each sin mentioned, we look at examples of how the worldling and the Christian might commit them, and show how all manner of sin was laid on Christ.

The Pharisees are at it again. They're criticizing the disciples' handwashing practices. Jesus' rebuke uses a quote from Isaiah. We draw from this a three-fold criticism of them- they had a false profession, engaged in false worship, and held false doctrine. With each of these, we also say something about what their opposites are.

Jesus here comes down from a mountain, having prayed, and goes out to the struggling disciples on the sea. His dramatic approach, walking on the top of the water, terrifies the men. Their hearts are still a little hardened. Yet he comes to them anyway. Similarly, Jesus comes to us daily with benefits, despite our failings.

In feeding the multitude, Jesus provides insights into his character and mission. We view these under three headings- Jesus as teacher, shepherd and bread of life.

John the Baptist was under no illusion- he must leave the stage of the gospel story, having done his job of introducing Jesus Christ. We look at John's necessary demise by considering three key characters- Herod, his wife, and her daughter. Afterwards, we consider how Jesus increased in pre-eminence through several stages in his life.