Get behind Me, Satan!

In Matthew 16:23, Jesus quite harshly rebukes Peter.

• But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s purposes, but men’s.”

I have read this many times over the years but for some reason, today it reached out to me, and I asked myself “am I being like Peter?” Do I understand what God’s purposes are and can I differentiate them from men’s.

Jesus juxtaposes these two concepts, so clearly God’s purpose is in contradiction of men’s purpose, but what is it?

I think the Great Commandment can help to understand what it is.

• “‘You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind.’ This is the great and foremost commandment. The second is like it, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’ Upon these two commandments hang the whole Law and the Prophets.” Matthew 22:37b-40 [NASB]

The best word I can come up with to summarize how this identifies God’s purpose is selflessness; and its contradiction, men’s purpose, is selfishness. Let’s see what my friend Monica says about it:

• Selflessness is a quality or behavior characterized by a lack of selfishness and a genuine concern for the well-being of others. It involves placing the needs and interests of others before one’s own without expecting anything in return. Selfless individuals often act with empathy, compassion, and altruism, aiming to make a positive impact on the lives of others or contribute to the greater good of society.

And what does Monica say about selfishness?: (bold added by me)

• Selfishness is the opposite of selflessness and refers to a focus on one’s own interests, needs, and desires at the expense of others. Selfish individuals prioritize their own well-being and personal gain above the concerns or needs of others. They may be reluctant to share, unwilling to help, and may exhibit behaviors that disregard the feelings or welfare of those around them.
  
  Selfishness can manifest in various ways, ranging from small, everyday actions such as not sharing resources or being inconsiderate to more significant acts like manipulating others for personal gain or neglecting responsibilities towards loved ones.
  
  While it’s natural for people to prioritize their own needs and interests to some extent, excessive selfishness can lead to strained relationships, conflicts, and a negative impact on one’s social and emotional well-being. Balancing self-care with consideration for others is typically seen as a healthier approach to interpersonal relationships and a key aspect of moral and ethical development in many cultures.

Was Peter being selfish – unquestionably YES. If we go back we see that Peter, well-meaning as it may have been, was selfishly refusing to accept that Jesus was to die and be raised from the dead for the benefit of ALL mankind.

• From that time Jesus began to point out to His disciples that it was necessary for Him to go to Jerusalem and to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, and to be killed, and to be raised up on the third day. And yet Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You!” Matthew 16:21-22 [NASB]

Peter wanted to keep Jesus for himself, denying redemption and salvation for everyone else.

If you choose to have Jesus in your heart, accept His Great Commandment as the rule by which you live your life, and this passage from Isaiah will be your reward:

• For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven,
  And do not return there without watering the earth
  And making it produce and sprout,
  And providing seed to the sower and bread to the eater;
  So will My word be which goes out of My mouth;
  It will not return to Me empty,
  Without accomplishing what I desire,
  And without succeeding in the purpose for which I sent it.
  For you will go out with joy
  And be led in peace;
  The mountains and the hills will break into shouts of joy before you,
  And all the trees of the field will clap their hands. Isaiah 55:10-12 [NASB]

Lord Jesus: Come into my heart – make me a better person; take away my selfish desires and replace them with Love and Compassion, showing your love for me in the way I treat others. In Jesus name, I pray. Amen.