Scripture
“The nation's leaders, the chief priests and the teachers of the Law of Moses will make the Son of Man suffer terribly. He will be rejected and killed, but three days later He will rise to life.”
Observation
A few verses before, Peter is commended for recognising Jesus is the Messiah. As Jesus reveals what it means for Him to be the Messiah, Peter rebukes Jesus for talking about suffering and death. Then come those awful words “Get behind me satan.”
The way of Jesus is the way of the cross- physical, emoti0onal and spiritual suffering that takes Him through death and into life.
The followers of Jesus must take the same route. We must take up the cross to follow Jesus.
This does not mean we go looking for persecution. Persecution in one form or another will always find the christian.
It does mean that we have to die to our own desires, plans and ambitions and embrace the plans that Jesus has for us.
Application
I don't like suffering. I don't mind other people suffering, but I'm very concerned about my own comfort.
To follow Jesus really means that I have to stop pursuing my own comfort and instead follow whatever journey Jesus commands me to take.
As I do this I can have the assurance that He will take me through whatever befalls me and bring me safely through to eternity.
Prayer
lord Jesus you turn death to life, suffering to joy, darkness to light. Please help me to take up my own cross and walk bravely behind you. Amen.
"get behind me satan" has always brought a lot of comfort to me. I'm curious why you refer to it as awful words. Awful as in full of awe???
ReplyDeleteAwful in that the words were directed at Peter. We can move so quickly from godly profession to speaking the words of the devil as Peter did.
ReplyDeleteThank you! I understand now.
ReplyDelete