October 12th~Getting Out of the Way

Mark 8:22-30

Matthew 16:13-20

Luke 9:18-20

Mark 8:31-9:1

Matthew 16:21-28

Luke 9:21-27

Mark 9:2-13

Matthew 17:1-13

Luke 9:28-36

We witnessed a highlight in Jesus’ ministry, the most clear affirmation, so far, that He was, in- deed, the Chosen One of God. This affirmation came with three events — Peter’s declaration of Jesus’ identity and the introduction of the Church, the prediction of His death and resurrection, and His glorification at the Mount of Transfiguration. Let’s take a closer look at each of these events.

First, when Peter answered Jesus’ question, “Who do you say I am?” with “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God,” Jesus unveiled His plan to establish the Church. The word “church” is ekklesia, meaning “called out ones.” it refers to a body of Christ-followers who make a declaration similar to Peter’s, that Jesus is the Messiah, the Savior sent from God. Each person, when faced with the reality of Jesus’ life, ministry, and claims must answer the same question, “Who do you say that I am?”

After it was clear that Jesus was the Messiah, He began to tell His disciples what would happen to Him, that He would suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the religious leaders, that He would be killed, but that within three days, He would rise again. Peter, who had just been praised by the Lord for his declaration of Jesus’ identity, even given the “keys to the Kingdom of Heaven,” rebuked Jesus, telling Him that He shouldn’t say such things (Mark 8:31, 32).

What Peter could not reconcile in His mind was how Jesus could establish and reign in His earthly kingdom if He were to allow Himself to suffer and die at the hands of men. Here again we see the confusion of the double fulfillment of prophecy. Jesus immediately recognized Peter’s words as the Devil’s distraction, an attempt to keep Him from fulfilling His primary purpose, that of saving men from their sins (v.33).

The third event affirming Jesus’ Messiahship came at the Mount of Transfiguration, where Peter, James, and John got to see Jesus in His glorified state. As He stood there with Moses and Elijah, who represented the Old Testament Law and prophets, He explained to them how He would fulfill all things at the cross.

Again, Peter was confused. He believed that Jesus was about to usher in His kingdom and he wanted to build three shrines to remember the moment; but, the voice of the Lord interrupted his thoughtless words by saying, “This is My Son, the Chosen one. Listen to Him!” What the disciples witnessed would not happen until much later. Jesus first had to complete His mission.

Daily Reflection

Jesus’ statement to Peter resonated with me today, “You are seeing things from a human point of view, not from God’s.” If you are like me, you want to see things from God’s perspective. You want to know His will, and you want to make decisions that honor Him. However, these things are easier said than done. How exactly do you accomplish these tasks?

What typically gets in the way of these goals?

Are you getting out of the way and getting on board with what God wants to accomplish?

BiAY.org | Day 285 — 80 Days to Go