When Jesus Called Peter, Satan

Our Scripture reading for today is Mark 8:31-33

Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and that He must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke this message quite frankly, and Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.
But Jesus, turning and looking at His disciples, rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”

Our reading provided three important lessons.

Lesson 1. The importance of divine perspective over human reasoning.
In life, we often interpret circumstances through a human lens, preferring comfort and immediate gratification. However, our text today serves as a powerful reminder that God’s perspective surpasses our limited understanding. Jesus, God’s Son, freely accepts pain, showing a way that appears illogical from a human perspective. However, this verse reminds us to find a higher perspective, trusting in God’s wisdom even when it opposes our desires.

Lesson 2. The risk of unintentionally obstructing God’s plan.
Our story describes a frightening moment when Peter, in his desire to defend Jesus, obstructs God’s work. This serves as a cautionary story for all. Our intentions, however excellent, may occasionally unknowingly obstruct God’s plans. We must strive for understanding, aligning our choices with God’s plan, and ensuring that we do not become obstructions to the path He has chosen for ourselves and others.

Lesson 3. The call to set our minds on divine, not earthly, things.
The powerful discussion between Jesus and Peter leads us to a deep realization that the core of discipleship is found in overcoming our earthly preoccupations and embracing divine pursuits.

Jesus’ rebuke to Peter is more than just a correction; it is a call for all believers to change their focus from the temporary to the eternal, from human concerns to God’s infinite plans.

This scripture invites us to go beyond the immediate and commonplace to connect our ideas, desires, and actions with the everlasting principles and values of the Kingdom. By doing this, we fill our lives with purpose and significance that goes beyond the temporal and brings us closer to God.

Lonnie Davis