“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.”
Peter’s “rebuke” provoked Jesus to say to Peter, “Get thee behind me satan” in the very next verse.
This was Peter’s most caustic reprimand from Jesus …much more severe than when he denied Christ. So, it would be worthwhile to know what produced such a fiery response from the Son of God.
What appears to have bothered Christ, was that Peter put human concerns in front of Godly ones. Peter balked when God’s plan didn’t fit with his own plan of success.
It’s hard to blame Peter for not wanting Jesus to suffer and die, but Peter’s focus was on earthly happiness above Heavenly purpose … Peter protested because God’s plan carried too high a personal cost… That prompted a shocking response from Christ.
That hits me right between the eyes.
I am fine with vague talk of suffering … I can accept that some may think I am odd if I follow Jesus… But if you imply that I am expected to endure abuse, and loss for Christ, I will distance myself from you. That may seem like a mundane reaction, but it is a passive version of exactly what Peter did.
Our attitude of tolerating God’s plan until it cost too much, draws a harsh response from Christ … Jesus doesn’t just want me to allow Him to “influence” my life… He wants my life committed to Him - at all cost.
He is my King, and He has said that sometimes on this earth I will suffer, … There will be times that He calms the storm - and other times that He calms His child. Only by fully trusting His plan will I be content in either circumstance.
So, when it starts to rain, I must choose. Either have faith in God and follow Him, or rebuke God and follow my own plan. There is no compromise in this area that will not provoke a forceful response from my Creator.
“Never be afraid to trust an unknown future to a known God.”
- Corrie Ten Boom
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