“From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead. 22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”Matt 16: 22-23
Let us read between the lines, particularly verse 22. Let us imagine this discussion in modern day narrative: Peter took him aside – who did Peter take aside for reprimand – guess what Jesus!! The Jesus he just said in verse 18 was the “Son of God,the Messiah”
Peter said: “Jesus stop it! How can you talk about suffering ? How can you talk about death, what impression do you want to create in the minds of these people? Don’t you understand, if you talk about suffering the people will not come next Sunday? If they don’t come next Sunday how are they going to pay their tithe? If they don’t pay their tithe how are we going to get money for the church mortgage and other expenses? Next time, Jesus ,learn to manage the congregation,learn to persuade them, talk about things that will encourage them. How can you use your hands to build the church and with this your suffering talk, with this your death, death, death talk pull it down? Let us manage this situation with wisdom ! Jesus did you hear me? Wisdom! After all Solomon said wisdom is the principal thing! We’ve got to use wisdom here! “
He went on to say “Heaven forbid it.. You will never suffer not under my watch! “
Jesus gave him a good lecture which we all need to learn today :
“Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Paraphrased Jesus was saying “Peter , before I close my eyes and open it, disappear from this place. As far as I am concerned, right now you personify Satan. Do you understand, Peter you are under the influence of Satan not the Holy Spirit. What you are saying is simply setting me up for failure . How come you’re seeing things from the human point of view ? When will you learn to see from spiritual point . When will you learn to see the total picture . What do you think I came for, just to dine and wine with you, just for you and I to be traveling from Galilee to Judea? Just to feed people with perishable bread and fish, raise one or two people from the dead here and there? Peter you are becoming a dangerous specie to me. Listen I came for a greater purpose than you can imagine with your mind. You just said I am the Messiah! What is the duty of a Messiah? To save his people ! Not few people, the universe, do you understand! How do you think that will be possible without suffering, without death on the cross? How am I going to take away the sins of humanity? Look the process of redeeming mankind is suffering by death on the cross if you care to know and I am all set for it!”
What the Holy Spirit is asking today is who is reprimanding you and why? The Holy Spirit wants us to learn today how to develop a realistic mindset to accomplishing life goals . Nothing good comes easy. Stop looking for drive through mechanism and short cuts to achieving success.
Suffering is part of life’s process . Hard work is part of life’s process, sacrifice, discipline, integrity, accountability,transparency,sense of understanding and maturity is needed in all things . Stop looking for a quick way to wealth, power and elevation. All those people telling you as a Pastor that to grow a Church you don’t need to suffer yourself praying and fasting for 21 days, 40 days when you can easily see one herbalist or witch doctor who will give you one ring or soap or handkerchief are simply wrong. Children, listen to me all those people asking you why do you have to study for exams when your dad can help you buy the exam paper or even help you get someone to write the exam for you or when you can easily cheat and pass the exam? Don’t listen to them. My sister , that your friend telling you ‘not to take that nonsense from your husband , just get out ‘ is not your friend’ is your momentary Peter. Pastor, that your friend telling you to water down your message to retain Church members is not helping you. Preach the true gospel. Parents teach your children hard work does not kill!
I can hear The Holy Spirit saying don’t listen to Pre- Holy Spirit filled Peter like reprimands. You have a purpose in life and you need to face it like a laser beam. Not all reprimand is genuine, if you are not careful people will almost derail your vision, purpose and destiny as Peter was trying to do to Jesus. You need to know what God has called you to do on earth and do it no matter how difficult you think it may be. Success is not a destination it is a journey. There is need to reprimand you if you are doing evil, but if you are being reprimanded just to avoid doing the right thing, be wary of such people.
Shalom
