Saint Paul, Minnesota, United States - Lutheran Seminary's God Pause "Moved by the Promise" for Thursday, 28 August 2014 - Matthew 16: You’re Not in the Driver’s Seat21-22 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!”
23 But Jesus didn’t swerve. “Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”
24-26 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. “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?
27-28 “Don’t be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You’ll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. This isn’t pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory.”(The Message)
I often wonder why Peter was chosen as "the rock" on which Jesus says he will build his church. The way Peter is depicted in the various gospel accounts paints the picture of an impulsive man, one that never hesitates to open his mouth and promptly put his foot in it. Here we see Jesus instructing the disciples on what is to come, giving them insights into the role of the Messiah. True to character, Peter wastes no time in rebuking Jesus, the very presence of God in human form.
While Jesus immediately puts Peter in his place, it raises the question of whether Peter was chosen for his important leadership role in the church after Jesus' ascension precisely because he was prone to speaking out. In this sense he was important not because of his impulsive statements that often lacked much sense (see Mark 9:5-6, Matthew 26:35), but because he had the courage and boldness to say them out loud. May we be as bold and courageous in our proclamation of the good news of Jesus.
Heavenly Father, in our lives of faith we often encounter truth that we fail to understand because our ways are not your ways. Help us to follow the example of Peter and be bold in our proclamation, yet humble at the same time. May our proclamation be shaped and guided by the Holy Spirit, so that we may represent the body of Christ in a way that is pleasing to you. Amen.
Scott Dalen
Pastor, Underwood Lutheran Church, Underwood, Iowa
Master of Divinity , 2013
Matthew 16:21 From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of 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, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you."
23 But he turned and said to Peter, "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."
24 Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
25 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.
26 For what will it profit them if they gain the whole world but forfeit their life? Or what will they give in return for their life?
27 "For the Son of Man is to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay everyone for what has been done.
28 Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."(New Revised Standard Version)
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