Matthew 16:21-28
Jesus Predicts His Death
21From 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, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
When it comes to the Kingdom of God what is your role in it? From this scripture we see two separate roles that a person in the family of God can take on. The first is the Block, who Peter plays the part of in this passage. Webster’s Dictionary describes a block in the verb form as:
to make unsuitable for passage or progress by obstruction b archaic : BLOCKADE c : to hinder the passage, progress, or accomplishment of by or as if by interposing an obstruction d : to shut off from view e : to interfere usually legitimately with (as an opponent) in various games or sports f : to prevent normal functioning or action of.
The second role described in this passage is that of the bearer. Webster’s definition of this is:
to move while holding up and supporting.
Let us look at these two roles and figure out what role you are playing and how to change to the right one.
In 2005 I went on my first missions trip. This trip was to New York City. We traveled down in two fifteen passenger vans and had a small moving van with all of our luggage in it. We followed in a line for the whole trip, talking back and forth on walkie talkies while on the busy interstates to make sure that we never lost site of the other vehicles in our convoy. The moving truck was in the middle of the two vans and with perfect synchronization we were able to move from lane to lane in a tight group, never allowing other vehicles to get between us, we moved as one.
Then we were entering into New York City. We were coming into a toll bridge, and just like the rest of the trip we were all together in one lane. Then the lead van realized that we were in the wrong lane and cut across three lanes on the bridge. So we followed. At this point there are two fifteen passenger vans and a moving truck taking up four lanes. This causes quite a large traffic jam on the bridge. Cars are backed up in all four lanes and people are honking and screaming at us. We became a block to these people. Where they wanted to go we were blocking there entrance to get there. We were stopping them from completing their trip. Until we moved and cleared up those four lanes many peoples lives were put on hold.
Matthew 16
21From 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, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. 22Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!" 23Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men."
For three years Peter followed Jesus around and stuck close to Him. He never let others get between them. They were in constant communication and were together very often. Then when Jesus needed to get somewhere Peter became a block to Him. Peter tells Jesus that the awful things that are predicted will not happen. Peter is trying to put a block between Jesus and His final destination. As Peter does this Jesus makes it clear that these words are of Satan and He will not have them being said. God’s will was not being thought of but only mans.
As the first driver of the van cut across the lanes of traffic he probably was not thinking about the other motorists. Only the thought of getting all three vehicles through the toll and on to our destination was on his mind. We were not in the will of the other drivers, only in the will of our own. Others around us were not benefiting from our snap decision. This is the same with Peter and Jesus. When Peter tells Jesus that He will not suffer, Jesus’ will is not in mind. Peter does not want to lose a close friend and teacher. God’s will was not in Peter’s head, only the thinking of man.
Are you someone’s Peter? Are you trying to stop someone you love from doing something that is in God’s will but might hurt you, or leave you hanging? Are you worried that if they do this certain something that you will be left with nothing, and that your many years of friendship will be all for nothing? Always remember that when it seems like God is asking someone to do something you cannot step in the way, you must allow it to happen. There is always a plan.
Is there a Peter in your life? Many students attending Bible College have their parents blessing and permission to be there. Many other students do not. Students from non-Christian families sometimes have a hard time convincing relatives that this is a good idea and something from God. They are shown resistance and unwillingness to be a part of it. They have a huge stumbling block in their way. Other peoples “Peter” may be a spouse, friends or even themselves at times. Is there someone in your life holding you back? Convincing you out of something that you believe is from God? If so talk to this person, pray about the situation and follow your heart and scripture.
Matthew 16
24Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me will find it. 26What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 27For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what he has done. 28I tell you the truth, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom."
Picking up the large bails of hay and carrying them to the horse pasture was not the easiest job. I could only carry one bail at a time, my friends who worked at the barn however were able to carry one in each hand and then toss them with ease once in the pasture. I would struggle under the weight of my one bail, hoping not to fall into the puddles of mud all around. Then after throwing bails of hay it was on to the water buckets. They were so heavy and splashed every where, and once again I was the one who struggled under the burden.
This job was a struggle for me, it was hard work but I had to do it. For my friends it was just another day on the job, and something that needed to be done. This is how the role of the bearer comes into play in our Christian walk.
When it comes to picking up our cross and giving up the comfort of our lives at times it will always be different for everyone. For me to pick up that one bail of hay took all my effort, while it was nothing for another person. In our Christian walk we will be asked to do things that will take all of our strength and exhaust us physically, financially, spiritually and mentally. This same task might be a small add on to another person and would not be a burden to them.
You must be willing to bear the load even when it does not suit you. When you struggle under the weight of your task you will feel more rewarded when you accomplish it. I always felt proud after struggling under the weight of the hay bail. After walking from the barn out to the middle of the pasture and having a horse come over and begin to eat the hay before I even set it down. This by far is not giving up my life for these horses, but it does help show that each person has to give up or carry a different load in their lives. Each persons load will be different and how little or great each burden may be will also differ.
We each have different things in our lives that will be a burden, but these burdens will help us move forward in life, and grow in ways that we never could have dreamed of if we just stuck with what comes easy to us. We must be willing to lose our lives and try something that will stretch us and force us to pick up our cross and walk with Jesus.
So who are you? Are you the block in your own or others Christian walks? Or are you the bearer who finds new ways to pick up those blocks and carry them for Christ? Be willing to take the daily struggles of life and carry them with Christ.
Matthew 11:28-30 says,
28"Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy and my burden is light."
You do not need to carry your cross alone. Christ is willing and able to share the load, but you must be willing to pick it up to start the journey.
So remember step out of the way if you are someone’s “Peter”. Step to the side if there is a “Peter” in your way. And pick up your cross and walk forward with Christ in your new role in the family of God.
