Matthew_16
Scripture
Matthew 16:23
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
Observation - What does it say?
Peter had just declared that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. And Jesus replied...
17 Jesus replied, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. 18 And I tell you that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hades will not overcome it. 19 I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven; whatever you bind on earth will be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth will be loosed in heaven.” 20 Then he ordered his disciples not to tell anyone that he was the Messiah.
I can imagine Peter may have been on a bit of a spiritual high - Jesus just called him a rock (in a good way), a rock on which He’d build His church. And Jesus had just affirmed that Peter experienced a revelation from God.
But then Jesus shared about His impending death...and Peter rebuked Him!
Understanding - What does it mean?
Like Pastor Gary shared yesterday, sometimes it's those closest to us who will attempt to deter us from God’s plans. That’s not their intention; it’s likely done out of “love,” “concern,” or worry...because, quite frankly, God’s plans often seem crazy and/or non-sensical.
Peter rebuked Him out of love. He likely felt protective and thought he could help keep death from Jesus. But that wasn’t part of God’s plan.
So what do we do when we are faced with the decision to follow God’s call or listen to those around us, especially when they believe they have our best interest at heart? This is where biblical community is so important! They can help us run it through the filters, provide perspective, pray...but ultimately the direction will still be of God and the decision (to obey or not) is still ours to be made.
Life Application
God, thank you for the biblical community you’ve placed me in. Thank you for the spiritual fathers, sisters, brothers you’ve surrounded me with. Help me to be that God-centered listening ear to those who may ask that of me. And continue to help cultivate those relationships within Desert Streams Church.
You make us brave but the family support can also help build us up when the path is challenging and indirect or the time frame is longer than we’d hoped or planned. Strengthen our faith, embolden our steps and may we live wholeheartedly for You! In your name I pray. Amen.
- Rei Bailey