Jesus words are just echoing in my mind today as I think about what I’m getting myself into. It’s a constant battle that I’m facing right now. Comments get thrown at me daily with people saying
- “It’s not safe!”
- “You can do missions here.”
- “Nine months is a long time.”
- “You need to start college and get a real job.”
Then I have my own thoughts that I’m trying to battle…
- “You’re leaving your family that needs you to speak truth into their life.”
- “You’re going to lose all your friends.”
- “You’re going to hate it and be stuck there.”
- “You’re going to become super charismatic and sly away from the truth of the gospel.”
- “You’re entering into a cult.”
- “You’re leaving behind possible future relationships, that you should pursue.”
Simon Peter replied, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.” And Jesus answered him, “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah! For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my Father who is in heaven. And I tell you, you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church, and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it. I will give you the keys of the kingdom of heaven, and whatever you bind on earth shall be bound in heaven, and whatever you loose on earth shall be loosed in heaven.” Matthew 16:16-19
This morning I was reading a study that was done on Peters life. It started talking about the life experiences that shaped Peter into a true leader. Right after Peter confesses that Jesus is the Son of the living God, he suffers the harshest rebuke ever recorded of a disciple in the New Testament. Christ addressed Peter as Satan and said “Get behind me!” meaning to not get in his way!
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” Matthew 16:21-23
So, Jesus just revealed he was going to Jerusalem where he would be placed in the chief Priests and Scribes hands and then crucified. The reason why he came to Earth was coming close and his own disciple rebuked him and said this shall not happen to you. He was being sentimental but he was only thinking from the position of a human. He didn’t know God’s plan and without even knowing he was trying to dissuade Christ from the very thing God had willed. Peter often spoke and acted before he would listen and as a result from this occasion, Jesus word’s to Peter were as stern as ever.
Peter just learned that God would reveal truth to him and guide his speech as he submitted his mind to the truth. He was proclaiming a message given to him by God (vs. 17) not a human message. Peter realized he was vulnerable to Satan at this time and God would allow him to test him.
Right now I feel vulnerable to Satan and his attacks. I feel vulnerable to the flesh and to sin. I need to put on the spiritual armor of God to be prepared for whatever comes my way. I do not want to let Satan have a foothold over any part of me during this journey or the rest of life. I know I’m being tested during this process, but I’m just reminded of James 1:3.
“Count it all joy, my brothers, when you meet trials of various kinds, for you know that the testing of your faith produces steadfastness. And let steadfastness have its full effect, that you may be perfect and complete, lacking in nothing.” James 1:3
“Put on the whole armor of God, that you may be able to stand against the schemes of the devil. For we do not wrestle against flesh and blood, but against the rulers, against the authorities, against the cosmic powers over this present darkness, against the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly places. Therefore take up the whole armor of God, that you may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand firm. Stand therefore, having fastened on the belt of truth, and having put on the breastplate of righteousness, and, as shoes for your feet, having put on the readiness given by the gospel of peace. In all circumstances take up the shield of faith, with which you can extinguish all the flaming darts of the evil one; and take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God, praying at all times in the Spirit, with all prayer and supplication. To that end keep alert with all perseverance, making supplication for all the saints.” Ephesians 6:10-18
Pray for me as I go through the process of preparing for the World Race. Pray that the Holy Spirit equips me in all situations. Pray that I continually pursue Christ whole heartedly and only him. Pray that I trust in God’s grace alone and I don’t let the enemy have a easy foothold in my life to attack me. Pray that I pursue holiness in this process and continually I’m being sanctified. Pray that I’m grateful for the opportunity and the testing of my faith. Pray that I take up responsibility and continually grow as a leader and submission to the Lord. Pray that I am serious about all of this.
