Mark 8:31-33
“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.””
Mark 8:31-33 NIV
This passage reminds me that on our journey in righteousness the haters will come from all over, but we will always overcome the hate and rise even higher. Those we consider haters are simply those who have no other way to respond to the love of Christ within us.
Therefore be sure to pray for those who curse you and be a witness to the glory of God as the Holy Spirit continues to work miracles in our lives. Let us praise the Most High for always aligning in our favor.
When does good news not sound like good news? When you don’t understand it. Most of us understand that the Gospel of Jesus Christ is good news. We know that the death, burial, and resurrection of Jesus Christ had to happen and we know why it had to happen.
It is good news for those who are aware of their sin, need forgiveness, and know that without God’s grace through Jesus they would not be allowed into heaven.
However, good news is not good news if you don’t understand it or believe it. This is what happens with the disciples. Jesus takes them deeper into His mission and purpose which sounds terrible at first, but in reality is a part of the good news that Jesus is bringing. They didn’t understand it.
There’s so much here that had to have been confusing or discouraging. But then Peter takes Jesus aside and the language here, that he began to rebuke Jesus as if he knew better than Jesus or he had instruction for Jesus. And Jesus turns around and rebukes Peter with strong language. Get behind me, Satan, for you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.
Peter reprimanded Jesus. Jesus then showed how important giving Himself as a sacrifice for sin was to Him as Messiah and Son of God. As a reprimand to Peter, He addressed him as Satan. Ouch. What a stinging rebuke.
However, the orientation of Scripture is clear. Without the grace that comes from Jesus' sacrificial death, men and women are under the influence and control of Satan. The majority rule of humanity is not going to agree with the will of God.
The will of the Lord will always be accepted by only a minority of people, even though it is God's truth and God's standard. We must open our eyes and ask the Lord to open our hearts to know His truth, His will, and His way.
So is it possible in our lives to, in a way that is not driven by God, in a way that is driven by the adversary, to set our minds on the things of man instead of the things of God? To think in a worldly way, and with such pride that we might presume to know better than God Himself.
God's divine plan of redemption does not yield to man's imagination, man's expectation, man's ordered will, or man's demands. The redemption of all that Adam lost and Christ's consummate victory over the power of Satan must precede His messianic rule.
Christ's messianic mission dictated that first there must be the sacrificial Cross to pay that price for man's sin. First the redemption cost had to be paid and then a new creation in Christ could be established to govern God's kingdom on earth, in righteousness.
Presumption can get us all in a lot trouble. It is better to do our best to learn, discern and trust. Peter would eventually get it and God would use him in a mighty way. God has a way of working all of the presumption out of us, if we are willing!!
Father thank You for this day and what an amazing plan of redemption, that despite the fall of Adam, You purposed to redeem mankind by the sacrifice of Your only begotten Son, and that through His death and Resurrection. Lord let Your abundance be my friend and family’s portion today. Lord we too have received the forgiveness of sin and life everlasting, how wonderful it must have been for the disciples to have been taught these things by You in person. Lord may we remember how blessed we are to have the Holy Spirit living inside us, guiding us into all truth. Lord teach us to know Your truth. Lord open our hearts to follow Your will and don’t let Satan blind us to Your way, Your truth, and Your light. Lord use my friend to be a bold witness of Who You are to all today. Daddy we love You amen. Be a blessing. Love ya !
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