Matthew 16:21-23 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests, and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
This verse of Scripture shows us just how easy it is for Satan
to control a follower and believer of Christ Jesus. Peter was speaking to
Jesus, but Jesus was speaking to Satan. Peter's verbal frenzy, even though
voiced by Peter, was under the control of Satan, who was opposed to the Will of
God, that Jesus was going to suffer and die on the Cross of Calvary. Peter did
not even realize that he had become a cooperative and accommodating medium and
mouthpiece for the will of Satan. Peter had just declared that Jesus was the
long-awaited promised Messiah (Matthew 16:16), yet, in direct contradiction to his declaration,
in this verse of Scripture, he refuted God's master plan for Jesus dying on the
cross. Peter both professed and reproached Jesus consecutively. Peter reproved
Jesus in a reckless and foolhardy fashion.
Peter did this most likely
because it was utterly opposite of his and the other followers of our Lord and
Savior's role as the Messiah. Like most Jewish people of that time, the closest
followers of Jesus were still looking for a political Messiah, a robust earthly
leader that would free them from Roman rule and control.
Satan's objective was to
interrupt the plan of God, for Christ Jesus to lay down His life to save all of
Humankind. There is coming a day when these dark forces will no longer be
allowed to harass and tempt Humankind. Until that day, all of the Children of
God will be fighting spiritual battles every day of our lives. Just like Satan
used Peter to speak to Jesus, Satan will use other people to talk to us. Some
say that Satan will only employ people that do not have Christ in their lives;
however, this incident would argue against that concept.
Peter committed himself
totally and completely to Jesus; however, Satan continued his pursuit against
him. We must differentiate between Satan speaking to us through another human and
God's will for our lives. One of the most popular schemes of Satan is to use
someone to remind you of your Past. When Satan desires to remind you of your
Past, respond by reminding him of his future (Revelation 20:10).
There is a way that we can
combat that evil influence today. That is a daily diet of God's Holy Word,
prayer, service to God and people, and a surrendered heart, mind, body, and
soul to our Lord and Savior, Christ Jesus. God's Holy Spirit that indwells in us
is our shield and the power to withstand the constant barrage of Satan's fiery
darts shot into our hearts and soul (Ephesians 6:11-17).
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