Things of man or things of God

 

From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Mt 16:21-23 ESV)

In Matthew 16:13-23 we see an unusual series for four events:

1. Peter confesses Jesus as the Christ. In Mt 16:13-20 Jesus asks the disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?"  Peter gives an excellent response by saying, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” To this Jesus gives Peter a big pat on the back and says that the Father had given him this understanding.  He also changes his name to Peter, the rock. I'm sure Peter was quite happy with this exchange.
2. Jesus foretells his death and resurrection. In Mt 16:21 "Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised."
3. Peter rebukes Jesus. "And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” (Mt 16:22)
4. Jesus rebukes Peter. But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Mt 16:23)

What an unusual conversation between Jesus and Peter!  First Peter announces that Jesus is the Christ, something he would only know because the Father had revealed it to him.  Next, Peter rebukes Jesus and is under the influence of Satan in doing so.  What a roller coaster ride!  From the heights of inspiration to the depts of deception in one moment.

 Why would Peter rebuke Jesus?

• Peter was remembering the incredible miracle working power of the Lord.  How could anyone take the life of a person who was able to do the things Jesus could do.  He showed power over nature, over sickness, and over death. 
• Peter was assuming that Jesus wanted to live, and not die.  It's natural to make this assumption.  All humans have this survival instinct.  Certainly, Jesus would have the same instinct, Peter thought.
• Jesus had predicted His reign on the throne of David.  Peter might think Jesus could not fulfill this prophecy if He were dead.

Why would Jesus rebuke Peter? 

• It is certainly possible that Jesus sensed an element of pride in Peter.  After changing his name from Simon to Peter Jesus made some incredible statements to Peter:

And Jesus said to him, “Blessed are you, Simon Barjona, because flesh and blood did not reveal this to you, but My Father who is in heaven. “I also say to you that you are Peter, and upon this rock I will build My church; and the gates of Hades will not overpower it.  (Mt 16: 17-18)

• He saw the sinister nature of Peter's perspective.  Peter sounded a great deal like the devil when Jesus was tempted in the wilderness (Mt 4:1-11). Satan's deception was that the Lord could reign over the world and avoid the cross.  Once again Jesus must resist this demonic idea.
• Peter was reasoning from a human perspective. Sure, he was being practical but lacking the big picture. And there are two types of wisdom, heavenly and earthly.

"This wisdom is not that which comes down from above, but is earthly, natural, demonic." (James 3:15)

• Peter was failing to see the cross and resurrection from God's point of view.  Sure, Jesus could avoid the cross, if He wanted to, but that is not why He came.

"just as the Son of Man did not come to be served, but to serve, and to give His life a ransom for many.” (Mt 20:28)

Finally, Jesus exhorts the disciples to follow Him.  For them it would mean suffering and death.  For many parts of the world martyrdom is rare but does occur.  For us it always means a choice between living for self or living for Christ.  It is a life of sacrifice, but also a daily act of devotion. (Ro 12:1-2)

 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. “For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it." (Mt 16:24-25)

 It seems our assumptions about Peter were right.  When he rebuked Jesus, he was trying to save His life.  But Jesus was not trying to save Himself.  His goal was to save us. He was willing to give His life as our Savior- to pay the penalty for our sin.  His blood purchased our redemption from sin and shame. (1 Pet 1:18-19) His resurrection opened a new way to eternal life for those who believe. He was willing to deny himself and take up His cross.  He calls us to follow in His footsteps.

 Peter would eventually learn what the cross meant for him.  For us it is the pathway to a full and meaningful life in Christ.  The cross represents living for Christ rather than living for self.

For the love of Christ controls us, having concluded this, that one died for all, therefore all died; and He died for all, so that they who live might no longer live for themselves, but for Him who died and rose again on their behalf. (2 Cor 5:14-15)

Questions to ask yourself:

• Am I living to promote self or to promote Christ?
• Who gets the credit for the accomplishments in my life?
• To what extent am I committed to comfort and convenience?
• Am I more concerned with what people think of me or what God thinks?
• What evidence is there that I am willing to suffer for the sake of Christ?
• When was the last time I was willing to be associated with Christ even if it meant rejection or persecution?
• If I were to die today, what regrets would I have?

Do nothing from selfishness or empty conceit, but with humility of mind regard one another as more important than yourselves; do not merely look out for your own personal interests, but also for the interests of others. Have this attitude in yourselves which was also in Christ Jesus, who, although He existed in the form of God, did not regard equality with God a thing to be grasped, but emptied Himself, taking the form of a bond-servant, and being made in the likeness of men. Being found in appearance as a man, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. (Php 2:3-8)

So what does that mean for you?

1. Pursue goals that will draw you closer to God and advance His kingdom. (Mt 6:33)
2. Say no to ungodly desires and temptations. (Titus 2:11-14)
3. Walk in the power of the Spirit. (Gal 5:16)
4. Love God and love others. (1 Cor 13)