March 10 – Read Mark 8:27-9:1

Human beings are strange. On the one hand, we know we are weak. We have struggles and temptations. We feel the weight of our sin. If we have any sense, we know we need God, and in times of uncertainty, fear, and trouble we desperately cry out for His help. Yet, we also occasionally think we know how things should work. We have our plans; we ask God to bless them, and when something different transpires, we complain. That’s called being human, but it doesn’t make much sense when you consider that the same mind can hold both of these attitudes—God is good and sovereign, but I want things to go the way I think they should. Peter was the victim of this kind of double-mindedness in today’s reading.
On one hand, Peter got it. After several passages where the disciples seem slow to understand Jesus’ message, Peter finally declares, “You are the Messiah” (v. 29). Though Mark doesn’t mention it, the gospel of Matthew tells us that Jesus affirmed this declaration of faith and told Peter that this truth could only have been revealed to him by God—in other words, God blessed Peter with this gift (see Matthew 16:17-20). So, not only did Peter recognize his need, but he knew where his needs would be met—in Christ. And yet, just a few verses later, after Jesus predicts His death, Peter rebukes Him! That means Peter thought he knew God’s plan better than the Son of God!
In response to Peter’s rebuke, Jesus rebuked him with these words: “Get behind Me, Satan! You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (v. 33). Wow. Peter went from being affirmed in his declaration of faith to being compared to the devil for opposing God’s plan of redemption. That’s quite a turnabout in a short period of time! But Peter had that human attitude paradox—God is good and in control, but I know how His plan should go. If Peter wasn’t immune to that contradictory way of thinking, then we aren’t either.
After rebuking Peter, Jesus reinforced the lesson of that rebuke, calling the crowds and the disciples to listen (v. 34). He wanted them all to know that God’s Kingdom was in their midst and continuing to come with power, but they would have to be willing to set themselves and their own plans aside to be part of it. The concerns of God are not the concerns of man. God’s plans for His Kingdom and our part in it don’t often coincide with our plans. We must be willing to lose the life we envision (which is an illusion anyway) to save the life God has planned for us. And that life God has planned is sometimes hard. (“Taking up a cross” is never easy.) However, in the end, the hard road of following Christ is worth it. When we are obedient to Him, His Spirit works in us to conform us to His image. We become beautiful, redeemed children of God, and we are part of the Kingdom of God, which is still coming in power on this earth and will continue to come until Christ returns. What life could be more wonderful than that?
We can take comfort in Peter’s vacillation between Savior and self. It’s a reminder that when we do the same thing, the Lord has dealt with this before in His primary disciple. He knows our weaknesses (Hebrews 4:15), and He is faithful in His compassion on us in spite of them. As you spend time with the Savior today, ask Him to reveal where you are focusing on human concerns rather than God’s concerns. Thank Him for His patience with you and His willingness to guide you according to His plan. Then, spend time listening for His leading in your life today and be ready to respond in obedience.
Thanks for your valuable insight between our will and God's Will. A daily contest between selfishness and self-less ness. A human condition that strengthens our faith and relationships. Thanks for your insight.