Not thinking 

“. . . You are not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.” – Mark 8:33 CSB 

It is astounding that on the heels of Peter’s great confession of Jesus as the Messiah and Son of God, that he could stumble so greatly as to rebuke Jesus. In fact, Jesus even says, “Get behind me Satan!” as He then addresses the heart of Peter’s mistake: Peter was concerned about the wrong things.  

We note exactly what prompted Peter’s consternation: Jesus’ proclamation of the Gospel! As Jesus speaks “openly” about his future suffering, death, and resurrection, Peter gets uncomfortable to the point he feels he must ask Jesus not to speak of this. We must recognize here that many are willing to confess Jesus but still stumble upon the truth of the Gospel – ourselves included!  

How often are we more concerned for what concerns us than what concerns God? God is concerned for the truth, and the truth by which He saves sinners, and that sinners hear that truth. 

In an amazing act of grace, Peter will be the human instrument who has the privilege of “opening his mouth”(Acts 2:14) and will be the first to proclaim the Gospel on the other side of the fulfilment of the events (Acts 2:22 – 36). May those of us who were first offended by the cross be those who yet preach the cross and its offense so that many may be saved and confess that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of the Living God! 

Prayer  

“Father, help me not to stumble at your truth. Enable me daily to be concerned for the things that concern you, to proclaim your one and only son as the Christ, and give me a heart to share that message with others.”