在彼得戲劇化的宣告耶穌是「基督，是永生上帝的兒子」 (太16：16)後，緊接著是一段帶著惡兆的敘述：「從此耶穌纔指示門徒，祂必須上耶路撒冷去，受長老祭司長文士許多的苦，並且被殺，第三日復活。」(太16：21)預備門徒接受這個突如其來的意外事件之後，耶穌開始祂最後的旅程──上耶路撒冶。到達時祂受到英雄式的歡迎：當祂要謙謙卑卑的進入城裡時，卻受到君王般的歡呼。那是基督在世的最後一個星期──世人永遠不能忘懷的一個星期。

        當你讀完今天的經文，請注意有三種對基督話語的反應：不在意、惱怒及立刻順服。 (你是屬於那一類？)
        門徒曾經不在意耶穌的話。基督曾向他們提起到達耶路撒冷後，祂會遭遇到的事(太16：2l，17：22－23，20：17－19)，多達三次，但他們疏忽了祂的話。
        法利賽人則十分惱怒。成為別人講道的重點絕不會太舒坦自在的(太21：45－46)，尤其是被講員稱為「瞎眼領路的」、「假冒為善的」和「粉飾的墳墓」，就更令人火冒三丈了。法利賽人並不想改變自己的行徑，只設法要使這個傳道者閉口噤聲。
        瞎子卻立刻順服。他們傾聽基督的講論，相信祂的權柄，承認自己的需要並回應祂的呼召，結果，他們得見光明。
        從今天的經文中選一節曾被你忽視，或者因指出你的罪而使你惱怒的經文。看看那兩個瞎子有什麼回應？你的回應又如何？何時回應？

字字珠璣
        今天的經文至少有九處引自舊約聖經(你可以找到幾個？)，總括而言，馬太福音中差不多有一百三十個引述是自舊約的經文裡節錄的──比任何一卷新約聖經都多！

一個人進入天國可以沒有健康、財富、名譽、學問或朋友，但絕對不能沒有耶穌。

English

        Peter's dramatic confession of Jesus as "the Christ, the Son of the living God" (16:16) is followed by a statement with ominous overtones; "From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day" (16:21). After preparing His disciples for the unexpected events which would soon take place, Jesus begins His final journey to Jerusalem. Arriving to a hero's welcome, He is hailed as King while making His humble entrance into the city. It is now the final week of Christ's earthly life—a week the world would never forget.

        As you read through today's section, notice the three different reactions to Christ's words: inattention, irritation, and instant obedience, (Which would characterize you?)
        The disciples were inattentive. Three times Christ described for them what would befall Him when they arrived in Jerusalem (16:21; 17-.22-23-, 20:17-19). But they failed to heed His words. The Pharisees were irritated. Being the focus of someone's sermon is never very comfortable (21:45-46), especially when the preacher calls you "blind guides," "hypocrites," and "whited sepulchres" (23:24, 27). Rather than change their ways, they tried to silence the preacher.
        The blind men were instantly obedient. They listened to Christ, acknowledged His authority, admitted their need, and responded to His call. As a result, they received their sight.
        Select a verse from today's section which you have ignored, or which you find irritatingly convicting. How would the two blind men have responded to it? How will you? When will you?

Truly Quotable Quotes —
        Today's section contains at least nine quotations from the Old Testament (how many can you find?). All totaled, the gospel of Matthew contains nearly 130 allusions and quotations from Old Testament passages— more than any other New Testament book.

A man may go to heaven without health, riches, honor, learning, or friends; but he can never go there without Christ.