February 25, 2013
SCRIPTURE: Matthew 16:21-23
OBSERVATIONS
How did Jesus know that these things were going to happen? If Jesus empties Himself of His divine knowledge when becoming human, how could He know the future? Did God tell Him (in a more direct way than He normally talks to me), or did He know from Scripture (see Luke 24:25-27). My sense of Jesus is that He was like us, with the same relationship with God that we have/can have, and the same reliance on Scripture as we have. He probably thought about Isaiah 53 many times.
Peter shows how dangerous selective reading of Scripture can be, when we take the parts we like (the conquering Messiah) and not the parts we don’t (the suffering Messiah). Peter was not alone in this, he’s just the guy year to speak his mind. The religious leaders and the common people shared this misunderstanding of the task of the Messiah.
Jesus shows how Satan loves to twist God’s words (think back to how he misled Adam and Eve), how he schemes and plots to throw people off the right path.
What do you notice in this passage?
APPLICATION
Where are we being sidetracked or misled today? How are we being selective in trading the bible? What parts of Jesus’ message are we denying or ignoring?
One area relates to Jesus’ suffering, and how we are called to join Him in His mission, to suffer with Him out of love for Good and others. Satan has tricked us into thinking that being savedis just about forgiveness and life after death, instead of a mission and a commission to carry the cross with Him.
Many Christians have become comfortable, cross-less, building our own kingdoms (homes, cottages, savings, vacations, cars, other toys and pleasures), with a few token good deeds and religious practices to appease our conscience. Satan seems to succeed in every generation in confusing people about Jesus’ mission.
Whose concerns do I have in mind? My own or God’s?
What do you sense the Lord saying to you?
PRAYER
Lord, I know for myself that I struggle with how we understand Your message and Your mission. My problem is that I too am hesitant to carry the cross that far, that much.
Jesus follower
trying to find His way
How do we act around a person when death is the topic of discussion. When death of a loved one is eminent, we try to comfort, and to do what we can to ease the situation. We do what we can to avoid death, and cling to life. When Peter took Jesus aside to talk to him about the death that Jesus was predicting, he was trying to comfort Jesus, and to let him know that as his friend, he would do what he could to prevent his death. It is something that I think he should have been thanked for. I am sure he was not prepared for the response of Jesus. – “Get behind me Satan” Wow, that seems a little harsh.
Jesus knew that his death was part of the big plan, and Peter did not. No person on earth at the time would have understood the path that Jesus was going to take. Even in Peter’s best intentions, he was not understanding God’s plan of action.
This is a humbling thought for me. Like Peter, I hope that I am following Jesus, and that I am trying to say the right things, and do the right things for the kingdom. It was only a few verses ago that Jesus complemented Peter for realizing that Jesus was the Christ, the son of the living God. Peter seemed to be quick to grasp things, the first one out of the boat, so to speak. I wonder if Jesus explained to him why he said “get behind me Satan”. I would think he would have for his special friend Peter.
I pray that I will step out, like Peter, and move to follow and act in ways that seem to be the Jesus way to do things. I pray that I will continue to learn what it means to follow Jesus, and to be effective in his kingdom.
Observations:
Jesus reveals that He must suffer to His disciples and the happenings that will come. Again, Peter the impetuous, speaks what comes naturally. Christ reminds the disciples that God’s [lans are not man’s plans. Following Christ Who they just claimed means that they too will suffer. To be for Jesus is also to live like Jesus – standing for what the Word says.
Application:
All too often I have the world’s view rather than Christ’s view on the day’s perspective. As a Christ follower – that doesn’t mean that all will go well. To stand up for Christ means to go against the flow and therefore also hardships. But we too will be raised with Him. All for Jesus – God concerns and not human concerns focussed only on today – popularity, a following, self-interests, self gain, selfishness, etc. The concerns of God exhibit the fruit of the Spirit.
Prayer:
Once again Lord, renew me so that I Your Champion living with Christ in me – showing show Christ in me as I do Your will. Help me this day and every day to live for Jesus.
iving for Jesus, a life that is true,
Striving to please Him in all that I do;
Yielding allegiance, glad hearted and free,
This is the pathway of blessing for me.
Refrain
O Jesus, Lord and Savior, I give myself to Thee,
For Thou, in Thy atonement, didst give Thyself for me.
I own no other Master, my heart shall be Thy throne.
My life I give, henceforth to live, O Christ, for Thee alone.
Living for Jesus Who died in my place,
Bearing on Calvary my sin and disgrace;
Such love constrains me to answer His call,
Follow His leading and give Him my all.
Refrain
Living for Jesus, wherever I am,
Doing each duty in His holy Name;
Willing to suffer affliction and loss,
Deeming each trial a part of my cross.
Refrain
Living for Jesus through earth’s little while,
My dearest treasure, the light of His smile;
Seeking the lost ones He died to redeem,
Bringing the weary to find rest in Him.
Refrain