Stumbling block

Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.”      Matt. 16.23

I’m sensing fresh insights into this verse as I read and contemplate it today. And this present perspective gives me much to consider and action. Jesus has told His disciples of the suffering and death that is soon to come to Him. Peter responds with a denial, and resolve that this shall not happen. In the circumstances this is not an unreasonable reaction. Peter’s heart is to protect the one he loves. I think I might have responded in a very similar way.

Then I read Jesus’ none-too-pleasant response. It is a positive outburst against Peter’s desire to protect and preserve. At first I’m tempted to shout out “Hang on, Jesus, he’s only thinking of You.” Yet I know this is not altogether true. Peter is possibly thinking largely about himself. He might have a measure of concern over what is to happen to his beloved master, but I feel his prime concern is for himself. Confronted by the reality of losing Jesus, he does the only thing he knows to do in defence.

But, let’s try to look at what this means in God’s eyes. Firstly, Jesus is accusing him of being a stumbling block. Wow, did He really say that? Apparently so! This man who acted instantly in defence of his friend was actually making himself a stumbling block. What does this say to me? I am seriously challenged to think that I just might, even in my most sincere efforts to walk with Jesus and be pleasing to Him, actually make myself a stumbling block. How might I guard against this? Perhaps one thing I can do is to be most careful of my response and reaction in all things. This might work, but only to a limited extent I feel, for I am human and I will forget. I will be carried often more by immediate instant human reaction than by considered response. Nevertheless, I can be cautious. I can also seek out the grace of God and I can be a lot more confident of God’s grace carrying me through than I can be of my own efforts.

The second “accusation” that Jesus levels against Peter is that he is focussed on the things of man and not the things of God. How this stings! Oh, how often do we embrace and espouse the things of men and have the audacity to masquerade them as the things of God.

I connect strongly with the words of Jesus to Peter in the first century. These very words are convicting another Peter in the twenty-first century. I want, more and more, to go God’s way. I believe God has done something powerful in me in just the last few days. My eyes are being opened to my need and desire to chase after God, to truly make Him first in my life. I must earnestly seek Him, and not just say it, for Who He is, and not with an ulterior motive of what He can do.

Lord God,

Your Word is living and powerful and it strikes me today with the force of a dart piercing my very being and reminding me of what is truly important – of Who You are and who I am.

I pray that I may never be a stumbling block to You. Lord, help me, show me, guide me and lead me in Your holy ways and the paths that lead to greater intimacy and knowing You.

My prayer is also that I be mindful and heartful of the things of God and not the things of men. Let me not chase the material values of this world. And let me not seek You for the sole purpose of what You might do for me.  Please allow nothing to get in the way of my relationship with You. May every day see me move further into Your being. My life is in You. Without You I am nothing. And so, I cry out to you.

If You desire that I sit at Your feet in wonderful adoration for the rest of my human existence, then so be it. If You have more for me to do, I am willing. Let us journey forth together. I receive Your new mercies this day and I rejoice and thank You that You have chosen me as Your child. Hallelujah!                                                                                                    Amen.