GOD’S WORD FOR DECEMBER 8

Our  book this month  is a continuation of “Chiseled by the Master’s Hand ~ Lessons From the Life of Peter,” by Erwin  Lutzer.  Dr. Lutzer is  Canadian-born and served as Senior Pastor of the Moody Church in Chicago for 36 years, until his retirement in 2016.   He now serves as Pastor Emeritus of Moody Church.  He’s written many books and has radio and internet teaching programs.

THE HIGH COST OF AVOIDING THE CROSS

(Matthew 16:21-18)

Christ wanted to prepare them for the sorrow that awaited them.  The calendar of events was clear, certain, and uncompromising.  He wanted them to understand that His death was ordained; it was not a terrible tragedy that had caught the Almighty off guard.  Indeed, no matter how excruciating the days ahead, all of this was a part of the divine purpose.

After Christ’s ascension, Peter would see all of this with clarity.  While leading a prayer meeting after being jailed and beaten, Peter affirmed that various groups had cooperated to crucify Christ, “to do whatever Thy hand and Thy purpose predestined to occur. (Acts 4:28).  No guesswork here!  God’s will had been done!

As for now, Peter simply could not see how the cross could be a part of God’s plan.  When Christ gave details about His impending death, Peter objected.  The man who worshiped Christ found himself reprimanding Him!

PETER’S PERSPECTIVE

Peter found Christ’s statement so staggering that he thought he should use his newfound honor to actually rebuke his Master. For all of his spiritual insight, he simply could not fathom why Christ, his Messiah, would have to subject Himself to such humiliation.  Why would Christ have to die?  And even if He had to die, why would it be so shamefully?

“And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying “God forbid it, Lord!  This shall never happen to You’” (Matthew 16:22).

To spare his Master a public admonition, Peter took Jesus aside privately and told Him that this prediction simply was unacceptable.  He deeply loved the Lord and had His best interests in mind.  The thought of seeing his Master suffer such a death was simply too much.

Often well-meaning friends give us unscriptural and harmful advice!  Sometimes we have been encouraged to rationalize our disobedience by listening to those who love us but lack wisdom.  Perhaps we’ve broken promises, tolerated secret sin, or told a lie, all because obedience seemed so painful.  Our friends who don’t want to see us suffer have encouraged us to avoid the painful duty that lay in our path.

Peter’s reasoning is understandable; it seemed so inappropriate that the Son of God should be so grossly humiliated.  How can a divine Christ die?  If He is the Son of God, King, and Messiah – how can He also be a helpless victim, shamefully nailed to a cross?  To put it in a logical form, “If A is true, B can’t be true,”   Peter must have thought.

Obviously there is nothing wrong with human logic if the premises are correct.  But Peter was making assumptions beyond his realm of expertise!  What made him so sure that a Messiah could not die;  or, more pointedly, what made him to sure that a Messiah was not SUPPOSED TO DIE?

We stand in awe of this encounter.  Peter, the one who loved Jesus supremely, becomes the very one who stands in the way of Christ’s obedience!  Peter, with love flowing in his heart for his Master, is now an instrument of Satan!

Peter’s suggestion struck at the heart of God’s everlasting covenant.  The cross was predetermined to be the hinge on which God’s purpose for mankind would turn.  Without it there would be no removal of sin, no redemption.  And now Peter stood between Jesus and His cross!

Clearly, Peter did not realize that by encouraging Christ to cancel the Resurrection, HE WAS MAKING HIS OWN SALVATION IMPOSSIBLE!  If Christ had taken Peter’s suggestion, Peter, like all the rest of us, would have been lost forever.  For there, outside Jerusalem’s city walls, Christ would hang naked as the Sin-Bearer for those who believe.  Without the cross, there could be no crown.

Peter rebuked Jesus, but now he in turn was rebuked.  Jesus told him that his suggestion was satanic!

 The best of motives can be no substitute for obedience to the will of God, even when the plan includes suffering.

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1 Thessalonians 5:18

Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

Romans 8:27

Now He who searches the hearts knows what the mind of the Spirit is, because He makes intercession for the saints according to the will of God.

Romans 12:2

And do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind, that you may prove what is that good and acceptable and perfect will of God.

Romans 13:2

Therefore whoever resists the authority resists the ordinance of God, and those who resist will bring judgment on themselves.

John 8:29

“And He who sent Me is with Me. The Father has not left Me alone, for I always do those things that please Him.”

Isaiah 30:21

And your ears shall hear a word behind you, saying, “This is the way, walk in it,” when you turn to the right or when you turn to the left.

John 15:15

No longer do I call you servants, for the servant does not know what his master is doing; but I have called you friends, for all that I have heard from my Father I have made known to you.

Ephesians 5:17

Therefore do not be foolish, but understand what the will of the Lord is.

James 1:5

If any of you lacks wisdom, let him ask God, who gives generously to all without reproach, and it will be given him.

2 Timothy 3:16

All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness,

Micah 6:8

He has told you, O man, what is good; and what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God?

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