PETER/He Was Loyal in the Face of Tests - Loyal When Corrected

 However, Jesus later stated that those given much would have more to answer for, and the truth of those words us borne out in Peter's case. (Luke 12:48) Jesus continued to reveal vital truths about the Messiah, including the certainty of his own impending suffering and death at Jerusalem.  Peter was disturbed to hear such things.  He took Jesus aside and rebuked him saying: "Be kind to yourself, Lord; you will not have this destiny at all." - MATTHEW 16:21, 22. 

Peter surely meant well, so Jesus' reply must have come as surprise. He turned his back on Peter, looked at the rest of his disciples-who had likely been thinking something similar-and said:  "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, because you think, not God's thoughts, but those of men." (Matthew 116:23; Mark 8:32, 33)  Jesus' words contain practical counsel for all of us. It is only too easy to allow human thinking to take priority over godly thinking.  If we do so, even when we mean to help; we may inadvertently become proponents of Satan's purpose rather than God's. How, though, did Peter respond?

Next time: PETER/ He Was Loyal in the Face of Tests - Loyal When Corrected

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