LENT 2016 - GOING TO JERUSALEM  

Ash Wednesday, February 10

Matthew 16: 21 - 23

The reaction by Peter to Jesus’ candid explanation about the reasons for going to Jerusalem is quite understandable, “God forbid, Lord! This must never happen to you,” (v.22).
Suffering and dying does not fit Peter’s agenda for the Messiah. Peter seems also to ignore the resurrection because of his horror. The disciples always seem to miss that last part, for some reason. Perhaps, it’s human nature that if one really has to  suffer and die to experience resurrection, then we will take a rain check; thank you, just the same. Life after death is just a little too vague when everything you want is tied up in the here and now.

            Perhaps, Peter simply didn’t want to lose his good friend.
            Maybe, Peter believed in good endings whereby everyone lived happily ever after.
            Possibly, Peter was lost in the adulation and popularity that had greeted Jesus just about everywhere they went. The Jesus movement was gaining momentum. Don’t stop now!
            Imaginably, Peter had visions of some triumphal victory over their Roman enemies with Jesus, God's Champion, leading the way.
            Who knew that salvation could get so messy, so unattractive, or so troublesome? Jesus is not talking about a few pebbles in one’s sandals along the road to Jerusalem. Jesus is pointing to a road that leads to his suffering and his shame and his inglorious death.
            What is Jesus thinking? What does he think he is doing? This is insanity! What good will his suffering and death accomplish? There has to be a better plan.
            God forbid, indeed!
            “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” (v.23)
            So suffering and dying it is!
            When do we get to the resurrection part again?
            At the end of the road… at the end of this road.