Mathew 16:21-23
²¹From that time forth began Jesus to shew 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. ²²Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. ²³But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.”
Get behind me satan!
So herein, we have Peter show His concern, refraining Jesus from saying that He would suffer, die, and resurrect back to life, but Jesus regardless, strongly rebukes him. There was no filter in His wording. Jesus plainly said, “Get behind me satan.” Did He call Peter Satan, the Apostle, a devoted follower and one with super deep revelation? He confessed that Christ is the messiah by revelation and was credited for that (Mathew 16:13-20). I can only imagine how Peter felt. Did he feel insulted, startled, angry, disappointed, belittled? It is easy to say Jesus was referring to the devil, sure yes, but imagine your Pastor making the same statement or anyone else! You would question deep down how a spirit-filled person like you can be Satan or used by Satan. Take a deep thought and relate!
The test of Humility or maturity is what we can learn from Peter’s incident. It is one thing to follow a man yet another to humbly, and faithfully keep on, never diverted even amidst what may feel to be an insult or a rebuke. Many search for positions and honor before men in ministry but what if something happens that makes you feel belittled? Something that would make you ideally want to quit! Have you ever been in that place? Paul says,
1 Corinthians 13:11
¹¹When I was a child, I spoke like a child, I thought like a child, I reasoned like a child. When I became a man, I gave up childish ways.
We had moments when we spoke like a child and thought like one but herein Paul shows us that the time comes when you grow up to stop childish ways. It is human to feel insulted when rebuked but it is childish to walk away or feel like quitting just because of a rebuke. It is in the rebuke that we can grow and become what we ought to be. In the face of rebuke, is the true test of maturity.
I was rebuked once, twice… but where would I be if it were not for maturity to stay and learn? It is in the process that we learn and grow. So regardless of the temptation to leave, stay and keep in there, let yourself be built.
Jesus said, “Those whom I love I rebuke and discipline” (Revelation 3:19).
Either you continue in your error blissfully or you embrace the truth for a better you.
As much as I have failed many times, I gave picked myself up by Grace many times, and learned all the right decisions I should have taken, in all my Service to God didn’t stop even in all difficulty or perfect failure.
Proverbs 24:16
¹⁶for though the righteous fall seven times, they rise again, but the wicked stumble when calamity strikes.
Prophetic Utterance:
I grow in the knowledge and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, I am moving from a perfection to perfection through him who teaches me to embrace rebuke as a wise man, to flourish and grow.
Guiding Text:
Job 5:17
¹⁷Behold, how happy is the man whom God reproves, So do not despise the discipline of the Almighty.