Wednesday, July 23, 2008
Matthew 16:21-23
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (ESV)
by Leota Stevens
How did Peter mess up so badly from verses 17-20 where his confession of Christ’s true identity was reverenced and now he is rebuked? The difference is the frame of mind. His confession of faith was accepted by Jesus and allowed the Lord the avenue to begin teaching the disciples deeper truth regarding his life and his mission. In verses 21-23 we see the fearful, fretting and controlling side of Peter that would have road-blocked the path that Jesus was divinely appointed to walk.
Copyright Information
Daily Bible Meditations are taken from The Helping Hand,a Sabbath School student quarterly for youth and adults. Copyright © 2010, Seventh Day Baptist Board of Christian Education, Inc.
Scripture quotations marked "ESV" are taken from The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. Copyright ©2001 by Crossway Bibles, a division of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Text provided by the Crossway Bibles Web Service.
