Welcome!
Today: How do we see Jesus?
Passage: Mat 16
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 things of God, but the things of men.” (Mat 16, NIV84)–emphasis added
All about Jesus is all about God; when He was looked upon with sympathy by one of His own, Jesus just called him “Satan”!
Few verses above, Jesus commented the same Peter for such a great revelation, when Peter spoke rightly about the deity/divinity of Jesus
Why did Jesus change so quickly, to call Peter “satan” few moments after commenting him?
That is a reasonable question. However, it was not Jesus, but Peter who changed. Peter changed from his divine view of Jesus to a human view. Jesus had to die for the sin of the world. He did not want anyone to look at Him with (human) sympathy and stop Him from that act on the cross. Jesus also stated why He addressed Peter as “Satan”: “you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”
As soon as Peter made a true statement about Jesus, Satan influenced his mind to speak just the opposite. Peter got a little too childish after hearing a positive comment from Jesus. Same thing happens to many, who make a good start in Jesus. Similar things have happened to certain groups and denominations
Many Charismatic groups started right, but later on slipped into the wrong
Certain groups give much importance to the humanity of Jesus, at the cost of affecting His divinity. For some, He is still “baby Jesus”. There is a “dangerous side” of looking at Jesus from such a point of view
Judas Iscariot had to kiss him, to show who Jesus was. He did not make himself look different from the disciples by wearing a different type of dress or anything like that! Jesus was identified by His words and His works
What happened to Peter can happen to anybody, if not careful. We can easily “switch” from a divine perspective of Jesus, to a human one!
Jesus was a friend of His disciples, but He was also their Guru. He did not want “familiarity” to stop Him from doing His job. He corrected Peter then and there
Recently some US security officials who went abroad, have become the focus of the media for alleged misconduct. They had a very responsible job, which could not be compromised. That tells us something; God expects a higher standard from those in spiritual responsibility. It may be possible to “responsibly” hide certain things, but God acts responsibly after that
God is the best in every area of His responsibility. There is no judge like God!
Have a blessed day. Allow Jesus be our friend, Guru and Judge, at all times!
BG
Prayer: Father God, I fear you in reverence for who you are. I love you for what you have done for me through Jesus Christ. I thank you for the continuing work through the Holy Spirit. Help me to live and act responsibly. In Jesus’ name; Amen
“God is treated best, as God”