"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
Isn't this a strong word? Why would Jesus say such a harsh thing to Peter? It must have been very important these words. What did Peter say?
“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. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!””
Matthew 16:21-22
Peter was saying to Jesus that He wouldn't have to take up His cross. Don't you think you would have said the same thing? If we thought this man was a great man and all why would He have to suffer like this, right?
Jesus tells Peter that he was a stumbling block to Him not having in mind the concerns of God but the concerns of man. Peter, like most of us, have earthly views on everything rather than eternal perspectives.
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A man and a couple were invited for dinner at his friends house. The friends had several people in their family. Once the meal was over, they were given dessert.
Now, there were two options, one was tastier than the other. Men, loving the best for themselves always want what's better, right?
The hostess asked the man, "which dessert would you like?" Of course he asked for the best.
"I'm afraid we don't have much of that." She replied.
"Then I'll have the other." He decided right away."
Others chatted declaring which dessert they wanted.
"Alright don't worry sir, you may have the best dessert." She said to the man.
"Oh no please, I don't need it! I'm fine with having the other!"
"May this never be! You must have the best."
The man was silent. What more could he say to his hostess?
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Often in life we have opportunities to take up our cross. Will we choose to take it up no matter what the cost, what others think of us, or no matter how hard they try to take it away from us?!
Let us deny our own will. Take up our cross and follow Him — the One who did this from His first days till His final ones.
Will we seek to have eternal views, rather than earthly? Will we seek Him for His life, to overflow through us?
Will we seek to have eternal views, rather than earthly? Will we seek Him for His life, to overflow through us?
He will conform us into His image through every situation He allows to test our faith. Praise God.
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