Matthew 16:21-28 (NRSV)
Read Matthew 16:21-28 on biblegateway.com
Verse 21From 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. Verse 22And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, "God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you." Verse 23But 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."
Verse 24Then Jesus told his disciples, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Verse 25For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. Verse 26For 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? Verse 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. Verse 28Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
Devotion
“You are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Jesus’ rebuke of Peter is not a rejection of creation or of Jesus’ incarnation. It happens when Peter’s vision and understanding of what the Messiah should look like superseded God’s. Jesus did not let Peter get away with it—nor does he us. In his love for Peter he calls Peter out, reminding him he still has much to learn.
So what are “divine things?” Peter had heard, yet had lots of growing to do. He is invited to listen again and measure what he hears over against what he wants. The “divine thing” looks like Jesus, freely going into unsafe places, suffering at the hands of other-minded powers, death—for the love and sake of others. But from it all will come new life—resurrection!
For Peter it was a call to move beyond his narrow, absolute certainties and to grow in the wonder of the “divine things” that God was revealing and doing in Jesus. Here is life that not even death can destroy.
Prayer
Thank you, gracious one, for embracing our humanness while showering us with divine love. Nurture us in that love so that we can grow in faith and live with good courage in those places where humanity and all creation long for your life-giving peace, justice, and hope. Amen.
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