Sunday, August 27: Scripture – Matthew 16:21-23
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 hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Prayer Focus: This “good trouble” I mentioned yesterday includes Jesus going to Jerusalem, suffering, being killed, and then rising from the dead. This is not what Peter had in mind when he said that Jesus was the Messiah, the Son of the living God. So Peter takes Jesus aside and begins to rebuke him. The Gospel writers generally use the word “rebuke” for when Jesus casts out demons. So, essentially Peter thinks Jesus is possessed when he talks about suffering, being killed, and then rising from the dead. That might explain Jesus’ response, telling Peter to “Get behind me Satan!” Open your heart and your mind to follow Jesus all the way this week. Don’t settle for just what you think is sweet and convenient. Pray that you might follow Jesus all the way to the cross and the empty tomb.
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