PART 3
THE UNIVERSITY OF TRIALS AND TRIBULATION
TEXT: MATTHEW 16.21-23
INTRODUCTION:
We continue to study the life of Peter. Remember that Jesus had called, and Peter left all behind in order to become a follower. You will also recall where just prior to our text, Jesus gives out the mission for His disciples to complete. Peter has just made such a profound declaration, for he had just declared that Jesus was the Messiah.
Jesus is beginning to tell them that He is going to have to die. Had He told them this when they were called, they most likely would not have followed Him. It seems that Jesus is now beginning to fully explain the real reason that He has come earth. This reason was to die for the sins of man. This was to fulfill what John told them in 1.29, when he said “. . . Behold the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world.” Those who heard the statement by John possibly did not know the full extent of what the statement meant, but He was that spotless lamb sent from God. They knew what the purpose of a lamb was for, but they could not connect that with the Messiah. Jesus had alluded to his death on previous occasions, but in vague terminology. However, now He seems to be explaining in more detail what will happen to Him in Jerusalem.
One will notice in reading this historical story, that Peter does not like what Jesus is saying. He will then rebuke Jesus. Jesus will reply with some stern words for Peter. These words are ones that Peter will not a want to hear. Peter had been called to be a follower, and had been given a mission. In order for Peter to complete the mission that he had given, he would have to face some trials. These trials would be a time of preparation for him.
We also have to go through trials, in order to help prepare us for our mission. Just
remember that a Navy Seal does not become one overnight, but has to go through a rigorous training with hardships and trials. My desire in this message is that we will be able to understand, as we look at the life of Peter, that many times we have to go through trials in order to help prepare us for the work ahead. These help to build us and create a better character in us. In order to get gold, it must go through the fire. That is what creates the purity and beauty.
Let us turn our attention to the story as Peter and Jesus exchange words.
1. THE TIME IS ALMOST HERE
Jesus begins to explain to His disciples that He would suffer and die. “From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day” (Matthew 16:21; Mark 8.31). Jesus had spent a considerable amount of time proving to His disciples that He was Messiah. It seems that Peter fully understood when we hear his answer to the question, “. . . But whom say ye that I am?” (Matthew 16.15).
Now Jesus begins to change focus, for He begins to explain in greater detail His reason for coming to this earth. That reason was in order to die for the salvation of mankind. He was showing them that He was going to be that suffering Messiah which Isaiah had prophesied about. It seems now that Jesus’ eyes are set toward Jerusalem and the cross. One must wonder if the disciples were expecting a king that would set up an earthly kingdom. But now Jesus was telling them that he is going to die. How would He be able to set up this kingdom? Dead kings do not rule over empires. They did not fully understand what this Messiah was all about.
Jesus explains to them that He will die at the hands of the religious rulers of Israel. He then goes on to explain to them that He will rise again on the third day. Possibly one reason Jesus tells them not to tell anyone that he was Messiah is that it could have changed things. If the people truly knew that He was the Messiah, they may not have pressed so hard for Him to be crucified. Instead they possibly would have tried to make Him an earthly king, in order to drive out the Romans. This would have destroyed the plans of God. For the main purpose, of Jesus coming at this time, was not to set up an earthly kingdom, but to make preparations for mankind
to be saved from their sins.
At this point, Peter does not like the words that he is hearing come out of the mouth of Jesus. If you will notice Peter interrupts him and possibly takes him away privately (in order that he does not have to speak to Jesus in front of the other disciples). Peter then begins to rebuke him. Notice his wording in the King James Version, “. . . Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto the.” (Matthew 16:22; Mark 8.32). Lord this is not going to happen to you. You are the Messiah. You are the one that was to come and set up your Earthly kingdom. You are the King, and kings are not killed to raise up a kingdom. Notice how the Bible in Basic English renders this verse. “And Peter, protesting, said to him, Be it far from you, Lord; it is impossible that this will come about” (Matthew 16.22). Peter is bound to try to change the mind of Jesus, or say to Him, you are wrong, this is not going to happen.
Peter may have also thought, you are the Messiah and you can prevent this thing from occurring. The disciples had been followers of Jesus for several years, and could not contemplate the fact that Jesus was going to die. I am sure that a strong bond had been created between Jesus and his disciples during this time.
Peter most likely missed the last statement by Jesus. He was to busy getting ready to rebuke Jesus that he did not hear Jesus say that he would "be raised again the third day"
(Matthew 16.21). This is not going to be something that is permanent. I am not going to die and
be buried and stay there forever, but I will return to life in just three short days.
Maybe all this could explain the response of Peter in the Garden at the time when Jesus is arrested. “Then Simon Peter having a sword drew it, and smote the high priest’s servant, and cut off his right ear. The servant’s name was Malchus” (John 18.10). Peter appears to be in defense mode here. He is possibly trying to stop Jesus from being arrested and prevent this thing which He spoke of from actually coming to pass. One thing that Peter should have remembered was
that Jesus had all power and could easily defend himself in this situation, if need be.
When Peter was finished, Jesus then begins reprimanding Peter. Matthew records “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offense unto me: for thou savorest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.” (16:23; Mark 8.33). Peter has been commended by Jesus in the previous verses for speaking that which only God could give. For he had declared Jesus to be the Messiah. But now He is saying that you are an adversary, you are coming against the plan of my Fathers, and are standing in the way of my real purpose. My purpose in coming to this world was to give myself as a sacrifice for the souls of men. It seems that Peter was not able to grasp hold of that. The devil was behind what Peter was saying.
2. I WILL FOLLOW YOU ALL THE WAY
I will not be offended at you. Peter said to Jesus, “I know that many started following you but then left when things got rough.” Maybe Peter is beginning to boast here. Others may have left Jesus, but Peter says he is determined to stay. Nothing was going to ever run him off. There was nothing that was going to keep him from going all the way with Jesus.
Don’t you remember that I am one of the inner circle. I was privileged to go into situations with you when some of the other disciples could not. I have been a constant and faithful companion to you. I have become one of your closest disciples. I have seen things that some of the other disciples have not seen. I am a good friend, I am not going to leave you no matter what. “Peter answered and said unto him, Though all men shall be offended because of thee, yet will I never be offended” (Matthew 26:33; Mark 14.29). It seems that Peter is once again speaking in terms of “I.” It appears that Peter thinks that he can do this for he is strong. He must have forgotten that he also fished all night and caught nothing, but when Jesus spoke, they had a great catch. Maybe this is why He is saying, “I will go anywhere with you and will not be offended.” Most likely, Peter was recalling that he forsaken all, and had followed Jesus all the way. Remember I am the one you call a rock, for I am stable. When I decided to follow you, I made up my minds to follow you all the way not just halfway.
Jesus then drops a bombshell on Peter. Jesus began to explain to Peter with that the enemy wants to try to destroy him. "Simon, Simon! Listen! Satan has received permission to test all of you, to separate the good from the bad, as a farmer separates the wheat from the chaff” (Luke 22.31, GNB). Peter, I must tell you that you will become great in the kingdom. However, you must be aware that the devil does not want you to succeed. He has desired to come against you and try all of you. The devil is going to try to destroy you. He thinks you will fail and never be able to return and do what I have called you to do. Peter had to understand that to become great, sometimes you must go through trials. This will be a training period for you.
“And Jesus saith unto them, All ye shall be offended because of me this night: for it is written, I will smite the shepherd, and the sheep shall be scattered” (Mark 14:27). This is not just for Peter, but all of you will be offended. All of you will leave me.
Peter you have followed me and seen mighty things. From that you concluded that I was the Messiah. However, Peter be sure and listen carefully to what I am about to tell you. “Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, That this night, before the cock crow, thou shalt deny me thrice” (Matthew 26:34; Mark 14.30). Peter, I tell you that not only will you be offended by me, not only will you run and hide with the others, but you will actually deny me. He told him that before this night is over you will deny me three times.
Peter never thought this day would come, but Jesus said that before the rooster crows to wake up the city in the morning, you deny the very fact that you know me. Luke 22.34 states, that you “. . . shalt thrice deny that thou knowest me.” Jesus was explaining to Peter that this
was going to be one of those moments when his faith was going to be weak.
That is not true Lord, I will die with you. Peter was determined that he would go all the way with Jesus. Even if that meant he would also have to die. “Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples.” (Matthew 26:35). There is no way that I will deny you. Luke records that Peter told Jesus, “. . . Lord, I am ready to go with thee, both into prison, and to death.” (Luke 22:33). I cannot believe that you would say this about me. I will stand for you for I have followed you all this time. With Jesus saying that Peter would quit now seemed almost to make him irate, for notice how Mark words it, “But Peter kept saying emphatically, ‘Even if I have to die with you, I will never deny you!’ And all the others kept saying the same thing” (Mark 14.31, ISV). Mark records that Peter becomes even more intense in his defense before Jesus. The other disciples agreed.
3. THINGS WILL CHANGE, I HAVE PRAYED FOR YOU
Do not fret over the words that I have spoken to you. Things will seem to be bad and only get worse. Your world may appear to be collapsing in on you, but I want you to remember this, “. . . I have prayed for thee, that thy faith fail not: and when thou art converted, strengthen thy brethren” (Luke 22:32). Peter, I want you to understand even though all this is going to come against you, you will feel that you are have reached the bottom. You will feel like a complete failure when that rooster crows. However, I want you to know that I have prayed for you. I know that you will be back better and stronger than before. I know that you will be that rock which I promised, when I gave you the name Peter. When I first met you I knew that you would become a rock. I want you to know that when you have returned unto God, you will strengthen your brothers. Do not lose hope in all that is to come, for this is part of God’s plan for your life.
CONCLUSION:
Jesus had a great work for Peter to do. He called for Peter to follow, which he did faithfully. During this time Peter saw many great things. Peter spoke some profound thoughts during his days with Jesus. Peter knew he was with the Messiah. It was going to be hard for him to realize that he would fail and that he would even deny knowing Jesus. This would be a great test of his faith, but if he would only hold on, he would return even stronger.
We sometimes go through things that are not easy. We sometimes fail in what we are trying to do for God, but we must never let it get us down. We cannot live in our past. We may have failed, and come short in our duty to God. There is hope for us, there is forgiveness. God wants us to fulfill our destiny. God understands that we are human, he understands there are times when he calls us, and we have those moments where we doubt God. There are times when we are not as faithful as we should be. In John 17 Jesus prayed for his disciples and He also prayed for us. God will help us fulfill what we are called to do. The most important thing is we must never allow past failures to stop us as we press forward for God.
