From the desk of Pastor Ben

Christ Protests To Peter – Part 1

He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a
stumbling block to Me.”             (Matthew 16:23a)

Jesus’ words here undoubtedly were a stinging, devastating reply that shook Peter to the core. Before he could declare any further objections to God’s plan, his Lord abruptly cut off Peter’s words and accused him of being Satan’s mouthpiece. This would have shaken Peter because superficially his statement meant well — he could not bear the idea of his Friend and Master suffering and dying. In addition, he and the other apostles had become completely dependent on Jesus for everything — instruction, food, even tax money.

Christ had spoken similar words to the devil himself after the wilderness temptations (Matthew 4:10). Even though Satan departed at that time, Luke says it was “until an opportune time” (Luke 4:13). So, Satan looked for other opportunities to tempt Jesus and now placed into Peter’s mind the same ideas he had tempted the Lord with: the plan of redemption is too hard; support me and realize my way is superior to God’s.

The same disciple who had just acknowledged Jesus to be the Christ and God’s Son, now contradicted Him. God had revealed the greatest of all confessions to Peter, but now Satan was the one “inspiring” him. If Peter could engage in such a drastic turnaround, so can anyone who believes. When we as Christians follow our own wisdom instead of the Holy Spirit’s, we can find ourselves unwittingly siding with the devil rather than remaining firmly at our Lord’s side.

Ask Yourself:
Have you ever experienced a time when you were sincerely seeking the Lord one minute, then chasing an impure desire or indulgence the next? What does your potential for this kind of about-face reveal about where your righteousness comes from? It’s all God, isn’t it?