Only Jesus - Part 2

 

 Continued from previous post...

            “Oh master,” the disciples respond, “some people think you’re John the Baptist, others think you’re Elijah and still others are saying that you’re Jeremiah. Then there are others who are simply convinced that you are one of the ancient prophets raised from the dead…though they aren’t quite sure which one you are.”

            A pause ensues. Jesus looks at His followers.

            “But,” He begins, “who do you say that I am?”

            And Peter the fisherman replies, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.”

             “Blessed are you Simon the son of Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you but my Father who is in heaven.”

            Wow! What a high for Peter! God the Father has revealed God the Son to the fisherman. Peter sees that Jesus is the Messiah, the Christ, the Anointed One, the Son of the living God. Life is good. This journey with Jesus is good. Wherever we are going with Jesus has got to be great. What a trip!

            Have you ever had THE answer in a classroom or on the job? The teacher or the boss presents a problem, asks a question, and you know the answer…you’ve got it…and out it comes…not from Sam or Susie but from you…you’ve got the answer, you’ve got the solution…and every ear in the room hears your voice giving the answer, solving the problem…and the teacher or the boss looks at you with approval and affirmation…Wow! what a feeling…wow! this is great…wow! I could live in this moment for a long time.

            But then again, have you ever gone from a Wow! to an Ouch!

            After a few more minutes’ walk Jesus has some more to say. He talks about Jerusalem…but not about sitting on a throne, not about receiving the recognition and accolades of the country’s leaders and populace, not about ruling and reigning in a reconstitution of David’s kingdom…no…He isn’t talking about a ticker-tape parade…

            Jesus is talking about rejection, torture and death…and even though He also talks about resurrection…no one seems to hear that part…all they hear is rejection, torture and death…and Peter…not being able to bear the possibility any longer…for after all, he has just proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah…takes Jesus aside and rebukes Him:

            “Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!”

            Then the same eyes of Jesus which had looked upon Peter as Peter had confessed, “You are the Christ, the Son of the living God,” now gaze upon Peter and Jesus says:

            “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.”

            Ouch! We’ve gone from a “wow!” to an “ouch!” We’ve gone from a partnership with the Father to being used by the enemy. We’ve gone from Jesus saying, “Blessed are you,” to Jesus saying, “Get behind me, get out of my way, Satan”

            I’d say that’s going from a “wow!” to an “ouch!”

            Have you ever had an experience like that?

 

To be continued…