Matthew 16:21-23 English Standard Version

Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection

21 From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

In modern vernacular Peter’s words might have been written “Don’t tell me that!” The reason this alternative language is offered is because Peter had no idea of the outcome for history that would impact the world for thousands of years, eternal impact.

Jesus knew what was being said would be recorded and repeated over and over again for our benefit. Peter was only dealing with his emotions in the moment with no thought of anyone else. When we do that a rebuke can often follow.

It is far easier for us to read the gospels and ponder the impact and see how history played out and rest assured that what Christ did was the will of God for us in all future generations.

The question is still in effect, what is Jesus saying that we don’t want to hear?

We still have the same problem Peter had at that moment thousands of years ago. “For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

None of us know what Christ is doing in another person’s life. Those are personal conversations, personal commands, personal obstacles and personal choices that have to be made based on God’s will and not our own.

In an article written years ago the advice was given, “Make it personal.”

Perhaps a good word to follow is “Get it right.”