Daily Devotions: September 2, 2017

Daily Devotions: September 2, 2017

Matthew 16:21-23

“But he turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’” vs. 23

From a human perspective Peter was right. The scenario laid out for the disciples by Jesus was preposterous. Oh, they knew that these awful things could certainly happen; they were aware of the fate suffered by prophets who had run up against the religious establishment. But they had believed that Jesus would be different, that his campaign would be victorious and he would restore the kingdom to Israel.

So when Peter heard the nonsense from the lips of Jesus, like a good leader, he spoke up. And Jesus turned on him, accusing him of speaking for Satan and calling him a stumbling block. We have to feel a little sorry for Peter; he was only being a good campaign manager. Of course he was setting his mind on human things, divine things were out of his league. As they are for most all of us! Sometimes we might be able to figure out a plan for the future that makes some sense on a human level, but to talk about God’s plan for our lives, well, that’s another story. And if God’s plan involves suffering on any level, most of us wouldn’t want to have anything to do with it. In fact, it wouldn’t be surprising if some of those disciples, having heard what God’s things involved, didn’t suddenly remember that they had something else to do that day! It’s a very human thing to do!

Thought for the Day: What’s my plan for the future? Is suffering included?

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