Get Behind Me, Satan


From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, “Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!” Jesus turned and told Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.”
(Matthew 16:21-23)

Meditation


Peter had the habit of opening his mouth and shoving his foot inside. Just moments before he rebukes Jesus, he called him the Christ, the Son of the living God so he knew who he was speaking to. He was telling the Son of God he was wrong! He was saying Christ’s prophecy was not going to happen! He was going keep Jesus from his appointed mission. That being, to suffer and die on the cross. Peter’s thoughts (and probably the other disciples as well) were about Jesus ruling an earthly kingdom, with them by his side, of course. If Jesus died, there would be no kingdom to rule over.
Even though Peter often spoke without thinking, we shouldn’t be unsympathetic of him at all. How many times have we resisted the will of God? I know I have done that on many occasions. For instance, I held on to hatred in my heart for years after I was saved. It took me a long time to forgive them. How many times have we said no to God? I used to say no to God all the time when he was trying to get me to repent. We have all done those things and probably still do at times.
We, like Peter, want things our way. We like it when we’re in charge and get to make the choices. How many times have you ever made major decisions about your life without asking what God wanted you to do? Peter would have preferred that Jesus not go to the cross and thereby set up his kingdom on earth right then. Of course, Peter would have been a ruler in that kingdom. He wanted to be sitting at the right hand of the king of Israel after Jesus took control.
That was Peter’s way, the way of a man. Christ’s way was far better for us, and for Peter. We have to realize that when we feel the tug of the Holy Spirit pulling us in an uncertain direction we must not resist. God’s plan, his will for our lives is better than anything we could ever dream. We are not capable of forming a plan for making a better way to live our lives, as hard as we try. If we allow God to be in control of our destiny, he will never lead us astray. 




Prayer Time

Lord God, you are great and mighty! No one can equal your power. You have given us our only hope for salvation. If Jesus never came to the earth, we would still be wallowing in our sins. If he didn’t die for us, we would have nothing to look forward to but an eternity in hell. If he didn’t rise on the third day, we would have no hope for the resurrection. Thank you for your sacrifice that saves all who call on the name of Jesus. Help us to never be a hindrance to the fulfillment of your will. Forgive us when we are simply not paying attention and don’t “hear” what you want us to do. We want to always be aware of the “things of God.” We want to always be working for his purposes and not our own. We want to always be known as servants of the Most High God and of his Christ. Please, mold us, Father, and change us into the likeness of Jesus. We commit our lives to follow Jesus, not because we’re forced to, but because we are compelled by our love and gratitude for what he’s done for us. It’s in his precious name, we pray. Amen!

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