Matthew 16 - 8.14.24

Scripture

Matthew 16:23

“ …  You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Observation

Over and over again, Jesus is trying to get his disciples to understand spiritual concepts – to view things through God’s eyes. But they get stuck on the literal – what they see with their eyes instead of seeking God’s guidance and direction. They bring it back to themselves and how it affects them.

Application

Jesus tells the disciples to be on their guard against the yeast of the Pharisees and Saducees and they think – he’s talking about yeast – it’s because we didn’t bring any bread.

Aware of their discussion, Jesus asked, “You of little faith, why are you talking among yourselves about having no bread? Do you still not understand?

Jesus explains to his disciples that he will be persecuted and killed. Peter rebukes him – this shall never happen to you!

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.”

Can you imagine Jesus himself telling you something and your response is, “No – you’re wrong.” And yet I think we are frequently guilty of this. God tells us he’s in control - but we don’t believe it. He tells us to believe for big things – but we tell him that’s too big, it’s not possible. He gives us direction and asks us to step out in faith – and we justify why we can’t do it.

When Jesus asks the disciples who people say he is and who they (the disciples) think he is, Simon Peter responds, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”

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. And I tell you that you are Peter and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of Hade will not overcome it. 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.”

Prayer

Please forgive me for the many times when I refuse to see how you are working and things you are trying to tell me. Forgive me for my lack of faith. Work in my heart and open my eyes to see things as you see them instead of focusing on myself. Reveal yourself to me. Like Peter, use me to build your church.

- Debbie Dunn