Jesus asked – “who do you say that I am?” And from among the disciples, Peter said – “you are the Christ – the Promised One.”
He went on to outline what it is to follow Jesus – “…he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me."
“Out of my sight, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” Mark 8:33
This verse comes right after the powerful interchange at the evil Caesarea Philippi where Jesus asked – “who do you say that I am?” And from among the disciples, Peter said – “you are the Christ – the Promised One.” On this basis, in the Matthew passage, Jesus called him the rock – a cornerstone of the soon to be established Church. In fact, Jesus said that the Father had revealed this truth to Peter. Then Jesus began to describe the sufferings He would endure culminating in death and resurrection. This same Peter was looking for a conquering Messiah – one who would free the Jews from Roman tyranny, so he took Jesus aside to rebuke Him and encourage Him to a different trajectory. Remember, as a man, Jesus was fighting temptation himself. Satan was challenging Him to take a shortcut and avoid all kinds of unpleasant obedience to the Father. This was not some theoretical exercise, but true temptation. And now one of His friends was echoing the very same temptation! And quick as a rattlesnake, Jesus bit back – hard! “Get behind me Satan!” Did Jesus ever offer such a stinging rebuke to anyone else, including the Pharisees??
He went on to outline what it is to follow Jesus – “…he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” vss 34-36.
How often do I as an individualistic Westerner want to question the Lord’s methodology? “Why don’t you do it this way – or that way?” Not to say that we can never ask ‘why’, but I need to be reminded every once in a while that I am to be like Jesus – not Jesus be like me! The way to be like Him is to imitate Him – to take up our cross and follow.
Are you in a time of questioning? How about while you are questioning, you also pick up your cross anew and follow the Master in His ways. Take the next step of obedience – this is the way to Glory.
Pastor Leon Throness
