Blessed God of all creatures, pour out showers of Your grace and love upon this dear reader. We also could use some rain, dear Lord, according to Thy plan and will for us; in Christ Jesus I pray, amen.
Our text for today comes from Matthew 16:21 Then Jesus made it clear to his disciples that it was now necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, submit to an ordeal of suffering at the hands of the religious leaders, be killed, and then on the third day be raised up alive. 22 Peter took him in hand, protesting, "Impossible, Master! That can never be!" 23 But Jesus didn't swerve. "Peter, get out of my way. Satan, get lost. You have no idea how God works." 24 Then Jesus went to work on his disciples. "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. 25 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to finding yourself, your true self. 26 What kind of deal is it to get everything you want but lose yourself? What could you ever trade your soul for? 27 "Don't be in such a hurry to go into business for yourself. Before you know it the Son of Man will arrive with all the splendor of his Father, accompanied by an army of angels. You'll get everything you have coming to you, a personal gift. 28 This isn't pie in the sky by and by. Some of you standing here are going to see it take place, see the Son of Man in kingdom glory." (The Message)
If we take Jesus by the hand, let Jesus lead! To be quite honest with ourselves and with God, we don't always know what we're doing or wanting to do or knowing where we need to go. Jesus does. Even when it seems that we don't like what we're about to do or undergo or where it seems Jesus is leading. Such was the case in this passage. Jesus was sharing with His disciples that which He needed to endure for the sake of God's plan for His life. It was not what the disciples, especially Peter, wanted to hear. As often happens with us, the first one or two words of bad news we stop hearing or understanding what follows. Jesus said He would suffer and die, and that's all they heard. They probably did not hear the part about "the third day." Peter takes Jesus by the hand and began to protest and to utter words of protection for Jesus. This from the man whose name Jesus had changed to ROCK. Now Jesus gives him another name, thank God no permanently, "Satan." His words and actions were not God-like; they were Satan-like and thus the name. The message to the disciples is ours as well: Let Jesus lead. Let Jesus drive. Do not fear suffering, learn from it. Self-help is not as good as self-sacrifice. If you lose yourself, you'll find your true self. Be patient and realize that God's in control and all things will go God's way.
These are not easy lessons. They run contary to everything the world teaches. These lessons are lessons of obedience, surrender and trust. They are eternal lessons of truth that we should learn from and embrace for the good of our lives and the good of Christ's ministry in us.
Let Jesus lead.
PRAYER: Loving Lord, I surrender to You and allow You to take my hands and gently lead me to obedience and service. I repent of the times I have thought I have been leading when all along I was wrong and lost. Thank You for new opportunities! I pray this in Your Name, Jesus, my Lord and Savior, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord!
Eradio Valverde
