Peter's Up & Down

Matthew 16:21-23

There's only five verses between Peter receiving one of Jesus's highest compliments and then one of his strongest rebukes.

First the compliment: Peter states that Jesus is the Messiah. For this Jesus tells him, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah, for this was not revealed to you by man, but my Father in heaven" (Matthew 16:17).

Later Jesus tells his disciples that he must suffer many things in Jerusalem. Peter's response is to take Jesus aside and rebuke him, "'Never, Lord!. . .This shall never happen to you!' Jesus turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men'" (Matthew 16:22-23).

There are several lessons from Peter's quick up and down with Christ. First, walking with Jesus is not a tenured position. Whether I've been a Christian for two days or sixty years, I will always experience temptation.

Second, notice how Jesus compliment is that what Peter says has been revealed to him by God, and when Jesus rebukes him, it is because he has allowed Satan to speak through him. This is fairly humbling. The good that comes out of my life comes when I'm connected to Christ; there's not much room for any praise parties.

Third, notice that Peter might have understand Jesus's Messiahship, but he lacks clarity on what the Messiah's mission is. Alexander Pope said, "A little learning is a dangerous thing; Drink deep, or taste not the Pierian spring." This applies in spiritual matters too.

Fourth, Peter "said it like it was"*. This admiration might have evoked admiration in some quarters. Peter might have been praised for being the steel eyed realistic keeping Jesus safe. But Peter, as Jesus said, did not have the mind of God. What we consider admirable in our culture, might just be dishonorable in the kingdom of God.

Bless Peter. Despite all the mistakes he makes, Christ still comes after him and he still seeks Christ.