When a Good Friend Gives Bad Advice
Peter has just made the greatest confession of his life: “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” Jesus has called him blessed. Then Jesus speaks of the cross, and everything changes.
“Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!’” (Matthew 16:22). Peter wasn’t malicious. He loved Jesus and was trying to protect Him. That is exactly what makes it so dangerous.
Jesus’ reply is stunning: “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” The word offense is skandalon, a stumbling block. The petra, the rock, had become a stone in the road, unknowingly getting in the way. This entire moment echoes the wilderness, where Satan offered a crown without a cross.
Three things to carry with you:
- You can get the confession right and the expectations wrong.
- There will always be well-meaning Peters, and sometimes the loudest one is in your own head.
- We don’t get to redesign the Messiah. A Jesus of our own making is no Saviour at all.
So ask yourself honestly: when Jesus does something that doesn’t fit my plans, do I submit, or do I rebuke?
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