27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?”
28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.”
29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.”
30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
I see Jesus showing His beloved disciple, the prophetic Peter, that information or revelation can never replace the ongoing Words and concerns of Christ. The gracious invitation beyond the Godly rebuke is for disciples to keep their heart hearing beyond what one has learned and to continually respond to Christ’s living Words and concerns.
Jesus is challenging me to move past knowledge learned or revelation received, to a Christ focus that is dynamic – not static. Each day this week, I will recalibrate my heart beyond my material concerns and toward eternal concerns. I will stop, speak to, and give something of substance to someone who is broke, broken, or begging – knowing people are eternally His concern.
Jesus, renew my heart, my concerns…this day and every day. Amen.
Terry Reilley, Pastor
Creekside Open Bible Church – Martinez
Isn’t it wonderful to know, beyond the shadow of a doubt, that we are in His family with Jesus as our Lord, Savior, and Brother and that He lives in our hearts through His Holy Spirit? “Thank you Father, Son, and Holy Spirit.”
jesus is asking his disciples who the people think He is.The people think one way(he is a gifted man) Peter sees Him another way…he sees Him as he really is….The Messiah. Jesus says not to spread this good news. Why? Because it was not TIME for people to hear this. This is a reminder to me that God’s timing is always perfect. It reminds me that when I pray for something and I have to wait for an answer, that it is not God’s time to answer that prayer. He knows all that is happening everywhere and He will answer my prayer (one way or another) when His TiME is right.
What does God want me to do about it? He wants me to continue on, doing what He has already set up for me to do, until He answers my prayer one way or another!
I hear a lot of personal, challenging questions that go deeply into my life:
‘Who do you say that I am?’ Or, will you desert me when the world condemns me?
‘Do you love me?’ Or, will you sacrifice a little of your treasure to help provide clean water, health care, or an education to an impoverished child half a world away?
‘Do you trust me?’ Or, when I ask you to love someone who makes your life miserable, will you see beyond your own frustration to the broken person I want so much to love?
‘Will you follow me?’ Or, when I lead you down a path through a dark place, will you follow? Will you believe there is light on the other side?
I know I cannot say yes to any of these questions on my own. But God’s gift of faith will get me there, one step at a time.
Today I hear God asking me “who do I think he is?.” Who do I think Jesus is? I know that Jesus is the son of God and know why he came to us and that he gave us the opportunity of salvation. The very last verse really spoke to me, especially the part about having in mind the concerns of the world vs. God.
Sometimes I try to reason through logic and research instead of my faith. Today God is telling me to trust him in all things and not to question my faith. Also knowing that I have his presence with me. I will be more in tune with the connections I make with people at work and that I encounter. Trusting my faith and the love that God has for me so I can be a light to someone else =)
“I will recalibrate my heart beyond my material concerns and toward eternal concerns.” I appreciate this thought in response to the passage. Peter, had some very strong conviction that his response was right, even godly – but it wasn’t. My actions too (today and all days) should be carried out with prayer so that my well-intentioned mislead responses are redirected. I will listen for Christ’s recalibration … today!
I live the “recalibrating the heart” Thanks for the insight Bill.
Meant to say love. lol
I wonder how often, if Jesus were here, He would have to rebuke me and say “Get behind me satan” when I think I am standing up for Jesus and His kingdom. How often do I merely have human concerns when I think they are “concerns of God”? Very humbling. Today and onward, I will listen more and talk less.
Well said Sue! So easy to get caught up in the dealings of the day, the obstacles, and the challenges that I too can confuse my concerns with God’s. I have spent Lent really trying to slow down my pace – even while I am busy – and listen to what God has for me. what He is saying. what He wants me to do. I will continue this today and beyond.
“Christ focus that is dynamic -not static”- I love that, on going moment by moment, continuious,
today I will seek God through out the day, I will not stop and ok I got my God time, but I will seek his will all through out the day!
This passage illustrates why Jesus later urged his disciples to stay alert and pray to avoid falling into Satan’s temptations. Satan put doubtful thoughts into Peter’s mind. Peter probably thought, “Why would Jesus say such things? If he dies, that’s it for all of us!”
But what Peter seemed to have forgotten is that Jesus,being the Messiah, had already conquered death.
Lord, I believe that you suffered the most extreme torture to redeem my soul, and help me remember that sacrifice you made for me.
Amen.