Wednesday, April 6, 2022: Lent Six – The Peter Principle

Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. Peter took him in hand, protesting, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!” But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.” (Matthew 16:21 – 23, The Message Bible)

                 In the Gospel of Luke, at the beginning of Jesus’ story, when he was facing Satan’s temptations in the wilderness, we are told that when Jesus had finished every test, Satan “departed from him until an opportune time.”  (Luke 4:13)

                Well, guess what? Opportunity came a-knocking.

    Peter, let me introduce you to Satan; Satan, this is Peter.

                But you know what it says in scripture: “Stay alert! Watch out for your great enemy, the devil. He prowls around like a roaring lion, looking for someone to devour.”  (1 Peter 5:8, New Living Translation) Peter “speaks” from experience.

                Satan has found a fresh opportunity to do his worst. Jesus may be untouchable; but his disciples are weak, especially this Peter fellow, full of bravado, hot air and good intentions. Ripe for the picking.  And you know what they say, the road to Hell is paved with good intentions.

                Earlier in this chapter, Peter had reached the height of his discipleship by confessing that Jesus was indeed the true Messiah (16:16). It is a deeply heart-warming moment in the relationship between Jesus and Peter. Jesus bestows blessings and responsibilities upon Peter for his insight and understanding.

                Then – thud! The Rock sinks. He attempts to derail the Mission which Jesus is on – accepting the Cross and dying for the sins of the world. Perhaps, Peter’s thinking was that a Messiah doesn’t work this way. The Messiah is a warrior, a freedom fighter, a new king who will destroy Israel’s enemies and begin a new era of prosperity and liberation. He doesn’t willingly suffer and die.

                Peter has no idea how God works.

                Nor do we, a lot of the time, maybe most of the time.

                “My thoughts are nothing like your thoughts,” says the Lord. “And my ways are far beyond anything you could imagine. For just as the heavens are higher than the earth, so my ways are higher than your ways and my thoughts higher than your thoughts.” (Isaiah 55: 8-9, NLT)

                Which doesn’t stop many of us from telling Jesus or God how we want the world to revolve. We define Jesus by our own terms. We put Jesus into some sort of small box of our personal expectations and assumptions. We try to shackle Jesus to our agendas and plans. We try to bend Jesus to fit our needs and wants. Good Friday seems so extreme. What kind of Father sacrifices his Son? That’s not right. That can never be.

                After Jesus puts Peter in his place by rebuke, Jesus teaches them how he defines discipleship: “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for?” (Matthew 16: 24 26, The Message)

                It might be tempting to reiterate:  That can never be!

                Who wants their own personal cross?

                Who want to put others first?

                Who wants to sacrifice anything, least of all our own lives?

                Who wants to spend oneself in such Love and Compassion, even if it hurts?

                But that is how Jesus saw his own mission to save the world and it is also how he sees our mission to build his kingdom.

                Really? Had no idea…

Dale