In the following passage, we now come to the end of Jesus’ teaching ministry. The apostles’ final examination consists of a single question ... one that every human being must face: Who is Jesus Christ?
He saith unto them, But who say ye that I am? And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God. And Jesus answered and said unto him, Blessed art thou, Simon Barjona: for flesh and blood hath not revealed it unto thee, but my Father which is in heaven. Matthew 16:15-17
Jesus has just confirmed that He is indeed the Messiah. Now to prepare His disciples for the horrible events that were a few short months away ...
From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Matthew 16:21
Peter lost the 'vertical vision' he had displayed a few brief moments ago and reacted to Christ's ominous, foreboding words with the 'horizontal vision' that's rooted in human reasoning ...
Then Peter took Him and began to rebuke Him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men. Matthew 16:22-23
Peter’s rebuke of Jesus was cut short by the Lord's disquieting reprimand ... 'Get thee behind Me, Satan'. They are the very same words Jesus used when the devil tempted Him in the wilderness. On both occasions, the sole objective was for Christ to abandon His mission.
Satan's purpose is best served if Jesus' death, burial, and resurrection didn't take place. He continues to plant that lie in the minds of those who embrace atheism and false religions. A lost and dying world brazenly rejects the truth found in the Word of God, dismissing any need for a 'savior' ... especially one that would die for their sins.
We are called to be 'unashamed of the Gospel of Jesus Christ' as we interact with nonbelievers. For some of you, there is a reluctance to share the Gospel for fear that it may sever relationships with family, friends, or coworkers. There is a tendency to be 'nonconfrontational' ... to care more about a man's feelings than his salvation.
This ought not to be so ...
But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear: 1 Peter 3:15
Peter is an example of how a sincere heart coupled with humanistic, temporal thinking can make you a stumbling block instead of a witness of the Lord's redemptive plan.
Look for opportunities to draw men to the foot of the Cross.
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