21 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.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
Ever been on the highest high and immediately fall to the lowest low? If so, we can certainly relate to Peter in our verses for today. He was just coming off of receiving grand kudos from the Master over his correct confession of Christ and now – perhaps smug and confident of himself and of his knowledge – he not only seeks to correct but begins to rebuke the Lord Jesus’ prophetic statements over what was certain to occur. It is super easy to fall into the wrong thought pattern of presumption that if we understand one thing in spiritual matters we comprehend all things. Human pride...hmmm...it is such an insidious monster and drops us flat quick!
2 When pride comes, then comes disgrace, but with humility comes wisdom. Prov 11:2 (NIV)
18 Pride goes before destruction, a haughty spirit before a fall. Prov 16:18 (NIV)
It serves us well to rid ourselves of this stubborn fleshly confidence –trusting and depending upon God with all our hearts rather than our own faulty understanding. Scripture tells us:
5 Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; 6 in all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make your paths straight. 7 Do not be wise in your own eyes; fear the LORD and shun evil. 8 This will bring health to your body and nourishment to your bones. Prov 3:5-8 (NIV)
Remember, apart from Jesus we can do nothing of eternal value – we are simply not capable:
5 “I am the vine; you are the branches. If a man remains in me and I in him, he will bear much fruit; apart from me you can do nothing.” John 15:5 (NIV)
In our verses for today, Jesus was lovingly preparing His guys with His Words so as to not allow the certain future events to take them by surprise, to ensnare them and weaken their faith. Jesus wanted them for-warned and for-armed. He had hinted at them prior but now He began to clearly explain to them and they weren’t too interested in hearing it. Humans have a very difficult time hearing future events contrary to their plans or desires. Surely, the disciples thought Jesus was there to usher in His heavenly kingdom – at present – sans suffering. Their thoughts did not include His persecutions and death. They preferred to simply skip over that very necessary part. How like us – our plans do not normally consist of choosing the suffering, the selfless service, the cost of the cross. Like Peter, we prefer skipping that part. Jesus seeks to rectify their wrong thinking of external pomp and power of His coming kingdom apart from cross. Thankfully, for all of us including Pete, Jesus had no intention of skipping that part of the plan. Indeed, earlier in Matthew, when Jesus was being tempted by Satan to forgo the cross and make for Himself some earthly kingdom, Jesus states His resolute intentions and tells the adversary to get away from Him:
8 Again, the devil took him to a very high mountain and showed him all the kingdoms of the world and their splendor. 9 “All this I will give you,” he said, “if you will bow down and worship me.” 10 Jesus said to him, “Away from me, Satan! For it is written: ‘Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only.’” Matt 4:8-10 (NIV)
Lastly we see the Lord’s strong displeasure of and offense to Peter’s rebuke. Pete, who was in Jesus’ inner circle of three, was used by Satan to dissuade the Lord from accomplishing the very purposes for which He came. It is so subtle of our adversary to send temptations to us by the unsuspecting hands of our nearest and dearest. We should learn to hear Satan’s voice when he speaks through the saint as well as the serpent.
“The devil does not sleep, but seeks our ruin in a thousand ways.” Angela Merici
Peter was sharply reproved for seeking to thwart Jesus’ plans much more so than his denying of Him. Thankfully, our Lord preferred our salvation over His ease and comfort. We must learn that it is better that we silently acquiesce rather than prescribe counsel when our poor understanding of God’s perfect will appears cross to us. God knows what He must do apart from human counsel – surprise, surprise. Blameless Job’s conversation with the Most High God certainly fills us in on that. Just read the last five chapters of the Book that bears his name if you are desirous of a proper perspective of the created compared to the Creator. I am reminded of Isaiah’s words:
13 Who has understood the mind of the LORD, or instructed him as his counselor? 14 Whom did the LORD consult to enlighten him, and who taught him the right way? Who was it that taught him knowledge or showed him the path of understanding? Isaiah 40:13-14 (NIV)