Matthew 16:21-22
“From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!””
Matthew 16:21-22
Dear Jesus,
I have to confess that even though I know we must all die, I never want it to happen to those I love or me. Sometimes really “good people” die young while rascals live 80+ years. It always amazes me that you allow this. You were not just good. You were perfect. So, it cut against the grain of Peter’s sense of right and wrong. Unwittingly he tried to persuade you. My salvation hung in the balance. Thank you for seeing how Satan was using Peter to tempt you to avoid the cross that saved me. I get the gospel: the only righteous person to ever live was sacrificed for everyone who has ever lived because we are unrighteous. Your love for humanity made you accept being treated inhumanely. Help me to approach my life with the same grace filled heart, avoiding self vindication and getting lost serving others.
Amen
Pastor Don Patterson
Jesus suffered wrong for doing right to cover all of us who suffered right by doing wrong.
Additional Reading: 1 Peter 1
