Mark 8: 27-38

(Originally written March 28, 2009)

Key Verse: "'Get behind me, Satan!' he said. 'You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.'" (Mark 9:33b)

When Jesus and his disciples went on to Caesarea Philippi, he pulled them aside for some time in training. "Who do people say I am?" he asked them. After they had answered, he then asked them a more personal question: "Who do YOU say I am?"Peter immediately answered, "You are the Christ." This was a very personal confession for Peter, and in Matthew 16 Jesus attributes it to his heavenly Father as a revelation fromthe Lord.

As Christians and God's creation, we need to come to this point in our lives . In recognizing Jesus as the Christ, we not only acknowledge him in that role but also realize our own lowliness as sinners in need of a Savior. Discovering Jesus's identity goes hand-in-hand with discovering our own.

Through the writing of my life testimony, the James study, and attending this spring conference, I have had the privilege and blessing of finding my own identity; not just as a winner in all my shortcomings, but aslo as God's workmanship (based on Eph. 2:10). Still, without acknowledging Jesus as the Christ- MY Christ- This is all meaningless.

Also, like Peter, even with the best intentions I can hinder the work of God. After Peter's confession, Jesus began to teach them about the suffering he would have to endure, ending ultimately with his death, burial, and resurrection. Horrified, Peter took his teacher aside and rebuked him. In Matthew 16, verse 22, he is recorded as saying "Never, Lord! This shall never happen to you."

Instead of taking comfort in Peter's obvious strong love, Jesus turned to his disciples and rebuked Peter. "Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men." In the Matthew account, Jesus even calls him a "stumbling block."

How small, embarrassed, and insulted Peter must have felt! Not only had his beloved teacher called him SATAN, his greatest spiritual enemy, but he was also a stumbling block to his Lord and Savior? As Faith Lee shared yesterday, Peter was just trying to be a nice guy. He dearly loved Jesus, and he was horrified that he should suffer, and bleed, and die. I imagine the other disciples shared his sentiments. In fact, even Jesus himself prayed for the cup to pass from him.

The difference was in Jesus's humility and honest desire to do God's work. Peter wished for it not to happen, perhaps even for selfish reasons- I am sure he was afraid to lose his teacher to ridicule and death. But Jesus was willing to give up his throne, come to earth as a baby, live among us, suffer for us, and die for us-all according to his father's plan.

Peter was trying to get in the way of God's work, whether he intended to or not.

He pulled Jesus aside and even had the gall to rebuke him- the man he had just confessed as the Christ! I too rebuke God in my own way when I refuse to do His work to follow plans of my own design. Even things that are well-intentioned can hinder the work of God. In Peter's case, Satan used his great zeal and compassion and love of Christ to try and STOP Christ. Satan also uses my own desires against me- both the pure and impure. Temptation comes in all forms, and it is so very easy to fall away.

Therefore, I need to examine everything I do based on God's word with great scrutiny. I also need to pray for wisdom, guidance, and strength to focus on the things of God, and no the things of men. Many things in my life can be used for good or evil, based on my heart's condition: school, work, home life, dating, even my spiritual gifts. I should not allow Satan to grab ANY foothold, but he is a cunning enemy and I know I will still fall short sometimes.

So I must draw closer to God and learn about Him, so that I may know His desires and make them my own.

One Word: Have a heart and mind focused on the things of God.