He Knows My Rebellion
Scripture Reading: Matthew 16:13-28
Meditation
As Jesus walks toward Jerusalem, Israel’s nationalistic morale is low but its Messianic expectations are high.
The crowd that follows this itinerant preacher from Nazareth is looking for someone to reclaim the crown of the kingdom of David. If Jesus wants to lead the rebellion against Rome, they’re more than ready to follow. All he needs to do is give the word. But intermixed with the expectations are questions.
“Who is this Jesus? Where’s he going?
What’s he going to do when he gets there?”
Opinions are many. Answers are few.
Some say Jesus is John the Baptist, raised from the dead. Other’s say he’s Elijah, Jeremiah, or one of the other prophets. Still others hold their breath and dare to dream: he’s the Christ, the promised Seed, the long-awaited and much-anticipated royal Son of David. Most of the walking dialogue is casual; but occasionally, some of it turns into a heated debate.
As theories about Jesus swirl through the crowd, he presses his disciples for their opinion. He wants to know where they stand and how far they’re willing to walk as they follow. Peter, the most assertive of the disciples, blurts out,
“You’re the Christ, the Messiah, the Son of the living God.”1
Peter’s confession is as solid as his nickname—“Rock.” His convictions have always been firm and his passion resolute. But now his faith goes public. He goes on the record; Jesus is the Messiah and, where the Messiah goes, he will follow.
But when Jesus begins to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and walk the way of the cross, it’s Peter who rebels.
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!”2
Peter’s iron will sharpens steel words against his Master. His rebuke is sharp. He jumps in front of Jesus and blocks his path to the cross. Though Jesus tries to move around him, Peter shadow steps him, all the while protesting his Master’s plans to his face.
“No way, Master!
You’ve got it all wrong! I won’t let it happen!”
Peter leaves no room for dialogue. His rebuke is more than resistance; it’s open rebellion, a public revolt. When Peter hears his Master talking about the suffering that awaits the Messiah in Jerusalem, every rock-like conviction in him begins to roll down hill. An avalanche of passion begins to gather. Out of control, Peter, tries to sweep Jesus away with the force of his emotions. He forgets who’s the Master and who’s the disciple.
The same Peter who minutes earlier publicly confessed that Jesus was the Messiah, the very Son of God, now jumps in and takes the lead away from his Master. The rock and cornerstone of Christ’s church has just become a stumbling block. He refuses allegiance to Jesus and resists his authority. He stiff-arms the Son of God. His rebellion is a claim that he knows more than his Master does. Peter demands that Jesus follow him. He believes that his way is better—it leads to a crown and not the cross.
As Peter’s emotions tumble downhill, Jesus stands still. He doesn’t jump out of the way. He takes the full force of Peter’s words. Standing still, he listens, but only for a moment. As soon as Peter pauses to take a breath, Jesus jumps into the tirade and identifies the real voice behind Peter’s upbraiding.
“Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works.”3
Peter may be the obstacle but Jesus sees someone else as the source of the obstruction. He identifies the real rebel—Satan.
But no uprising, from disciples or demons, will stop Jesus from going the way of the cross. He is determined to take the road less traveled. He takes a step forward, and this time, Peter steps out of the way. The Master retakes the lead. He begins again to walk toward the cross. Where he leads, he asks his disciples to follow.
“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?”4
As Jesus explains the way of the cross, his words are clear. Though the cross leads to death, the path of suffering won’t lead to a dead end. On the third day he will rise again. And whoever follows him into the grave will walk out of the tomb. After the cross, comes the resurrection.
Reflection
In what ways have you become a stumbling block to Christ?
Who do you say that Christ is? What is his work?
In what areas of your life are you saying, “Impossible, Master! That can never be!”
In what way is Christ asking you to get out of the “driver’s seat” and let him lead?
Prayer
Father,
Where your Son leads, he asks me to follow. But the road that he walks is the way of the cross and the cross is a painful place to go. His is a path that leads to death, loss, and sacrifice—destinations unwanted and unwelcome. Many times I have stepped in front of your Son. I’ve stood my ground and rebuked him to his face. I have resisted his ways,
“Impossible, Master! That can never be!”
During this day, remind me that though your Son said that he must go to the cross, he also said that, after his crucifixion—on the third day—he would rise again. Assure me that if I am united with Christ in his death, that I will also be united with him in his resurrection.
When your Son calls me to follow, put to death my rebellion. Breathe new life into me and then resurrect in me a surrendered life. Push Satan out of the path that leads to the cross. Clear any and all obstacles that impede the way of Christ in my life. Assure me that he will walk with me into the grave and out of the tomb. In all things may the Messiah take the lead.
It’s in his name that I pray. Amen.
1Matthew 16:16 2Matthew 16:21-22 3Matthew 16:23
4Matthew 16:24-26
All Scripture references in the meditation are marked by italics and are taken from the Gospel reading for the day. Those verses quoted outside of the chosen reading for the day are noted. All Scripture quoted in this post is taken from THE MESSAGE: Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 2000, 2001 & 2002. Used by permission of NavPress Publishing Group. All rights reserved.