The Thrill of Revelatory Insight and the Agony of Misguided Passion

Read Matthew 16:13-28

      Hurray for Peter!  He stepped out in faith, boldly proclaiming his belief in Jesus as “the Christ, the Son of the living God” (16:16).  Such insight could only have come from the Father himself; Peter has been given “ears to hear,” and “eyes to see.”  What a blessing! 

      Oh, no, Peter!  Just a few moments later, apparently, he presumes to take Jesus aside to rebuke him  - no Lord, you will never be killed to rise again (16:22).   Then comes the stinging rebuke, “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” (16:23). 

      The Christian walk is a step-by-step affair, a daily following hard after God.  Coasting on past triumphs usually leads to unexpected defeats.  “Pride goes before destruction, and a haughty spirit before a fall” (Proverbs 16:18).  Don’t fall today.