We continue the sermon series, Matthew: Treasure from things new and things old.  As we are fully into the second half of Matthew’s story we begin to see the central purpose for Jesus’ ministry.  Three times Jesus repeats:  “The Son of Man is going to be delivered into the hands of men.  They will kill him, and on the third day he will be raised to life.”  Jesus’ ministry includes many wonderful things:  gracious healings, profound teachings, hope-filled preaching.  But if Jesus would not have died a sinner’s death on a cross as the Lamb of God His purpose in coming to this world would not have been accomplished.  For Jesus’ ministry to continue through us today we also must die.  For He said “… whoever loses his life for me, will find it.”  Matthew 16:25