The Daily Guide
The wonder of God's word
Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!"
Matthew 16:21-22 - NKJV
What was Peter thinking about to do that? Instead of reflecting on what Jesus was telling them Peter rebuked Jesus! Peter had been brought up to believe that the coming of the Christ would bring the re-establishment of the Kingdom of David. When Jesus taught God's plan of salvation through His death Peter choked on it and was offended.
I remember getting similarly upset as a young Christian. I rebuked a brother in the Lord because he told me John the Baptist had a faith crisis. He said John in prison doubted Jesus was the Christ. I was offended by that. When I calmed down, though, I wondered, "Why did what he said make me react like that?" Then I realised it was because of my religious upbringing. As a Catholic, when I was a child, the idea was sown in me that Bible heroes were perfect saints without flaws. Anyway, I read the story he'd referred to in the Bible and discovered that he was almost certainly correct! See Mat.11:1-15.
Don't let what's been delivered to you by man keep you out of what's available to you from God. God's word has things to tell you that may, when presented to you, offend you. This often happens because of what you previously heard from man. Nevertheless, it's worth the discomfort of re-examining what you've come to believe. God's word has the best story, the right story. Go to it with the Holy Spirit as your tutor and learn of Him. Mar.7:13, Col.2:8, Isa.55:8.
God's word always has more for you!
Copyright © 2005 P.F. (Simon) Measures
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