Get behind me satan

Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. Matthew 16:22 KJV

I usually read from the New King James Version. But it is good to use other translations as well. Peter says here: Lord, be merciful, or be merciful to yourself. So Peter is actually saying, you must not do this, you must show mercy to yourself, you must look to yourself. And that is exactly what Jesus never did. He only looked to his Father (John 5:19). And he took on the form of a servant. Jesus' response is sorely needed because he immediately brings to light what the darkness is doing (verse 23). Imagine being told, it is not exactly in accordance with the standards in the church of this time. But if Jesus had not done this, it would have been unloving. There is no compromise with the works of darkness. If you see it, then it is the choice not to have any part in it. It was not for nothing that Jesus silenced the demons when they said who he was (Luke 4:34-35). His disciples, including Peter, had to learn this lesson. It is not for nothing that Jesus says in verse 24 that we must deny ourselves. He did the same and we are not above Him.

We can lose everything, even our lives. Christians in Nigeria, Somalia and all those other countries understand this. Today I saw a map from Open Doors with a ranking of the worst persecution of Christians. The Muslim Middle East is well represented. Israel is not on this list. But those Christians who lose their lives will find it (verse 25). The same applies to us in our rich Netherlands. Do we deny our own will and choose Jesus? Even if there is no AK-47 against us?

There is one who shows us mercy and that is Almighty God and His Son. He went the way that He alone could go. Full of suffering and loneliness. And He bore the punishment, God's full Wrath was on Him. But He gave that beautiful promise in verse 21. I will be raised on the third day. Peter wanted to hold on to what he had and aren't we the same? But we must be willing to lay everything on the altar for Him. That involves falling and getting up again, we are not perfect, we don't have to be. He, God's Son, is perfect and He is that spotless Lamb who alone meets God's requirement. But He searches our hearts. Were we willing to choose Him again and again? Do we look to Jesus? Or do we grant ourselves our own mercy? Look to Him, again and again. He will deliver you from all your distresses. Blessed be the Name of the Son of God.