21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”
23 Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 25 For whoever wants to save their life[f] will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. 26 What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done.
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Jesus called Peter a stumbling block after he rebuked the Lord for confessing that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priest and the teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter insisted that such a thing would never happen to Jesus. Selfishness was at the root of Peter’s words. Let’s listen in to how Jesus responded:
“Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns’” (Matthew 16:23, NIV).
Peter was more concerned about himself than the plan of God, and therefore presented a stumbling block.
Imagine if Jesus had entertained Peter’s words … “You know, Peter, you are right. That shouldn’t happen to me. That’s not really fair. I have never sinned. Why should I die for the sin of the world? Humankind can deal with its own problems!”
Thank God that Jesus did not fall into the snare.
Here’s my point: How often do those around us—even those with the best intentions—speak the opposite of God’s will into our lives?
How often do they discourage us from following our God-given dreams because of their unbelief? See my recent blog on OTHERS DISBELIEF
How often do others get us stirred up and mess with our feelings?
Jesus was quick to discern the stumbling blocks along the path to His destiny—a destiny that would take away the sin of the world—and He was quick to confront and press through them.
WOW~ How often do I notice my stumbling blocks but have hard time pressing through.
God had in mind merely human concerns—not even His own concerns. God was using Jesus to SAVE our lives. So glad he did not walk away from the pain!
Jesus said... Not my will, but yours be done even if it kills me.
How often so we stick pain out to see Gods will?
Jesus was quick to discern and deal with the stumbling block, but that didn’t mean that Jesus immediately cast the one who put the stumbling block in His path along the roadside.
Jesus used wisdom. He knew Peter was an important part in God’s plan to build the early church.
Jesus didn’t cast Peter aside.
Jesus instead taught Peter the right way to respond: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it” (Matt. 16:24-25
He helped Peter get his focus back on the concerns of God rather than merely human concerns.
We all need friends to keep us focused with the concerns of God in the middle of our circumstances. I am thankful for my friends that teach me about GODS will not my own.
Do you have friends that will help you understand Gods will in the midst of your set back?
Ask God to help you notice the stumbling blocks in your life directing you away from your destiny.
Take time to journal a prayer, plan and praise from today's reading.
Blessings as you GO with God!
