Our Scripture meditation is based on Matthew 16:21-23 from the start of next week’s Gospel Lesson, 14th Sunday after Pentecost. For a meditation on the Epistle Lesson, click HERE.
21 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. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance[f] to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
What served as a rebuke to Peter can function as a reminder for us.
We can’t explain away or justify Peter’s response to Jesus’ prediction of His death and resurrection. Peter tried to rebuke Jesus. Jesus would have none of Peter’s opposition. Jesus immediately shut down Peter. “Got behind me, Satan” is as strong of a rebuke as Jesus could offer.
We rightly view ourselves as being in a close relationship with God, just as Peter had a close relationship with Jesus. Yet this familiarity can lead us to take for granted God’s grace. We can also start to see God’s law as having a dull edge. After all, we’re saved by God’s grace through faith in Christ.
Even though Peter was one of Jesus’ closest disciples, Jesus confronted Peter. Jesus also confronts our sin. These confrontations can leave us feeling embarrassment or even shame. Since we know of this exchange between Jesus and Peter, we shouldn’t be surprised when our trespasses are confronted.
Just as Peter received forgiveness and reassurance after denying Christ (John 21:15-19), so we also receive forgiveness each time we confess our sins. (1 John 1:9). Thanks be to God for such reassurance.
Until next week, the Lord bless and guide.
Kevin Wilson 360 