Jesus needed to explain to his disciples all that was going to become of Him. It was difficult describing that He was not just going to be a Lord of this earth but of a kingdom that never ends. It was more difficult making them see that the process to earning this highest seat of honor comes with a sacrifice that sounds most stupid to man- death and shame.
They had seen him cure several diseases, opened the eyes of the blind, prayed and the lame began to walk, demons obeying His command and even the wind do exactly as He says. This is too powerful a man to die. They had even seen Him raise the dead, and not just one. What then would be more powerful than such a man?
Jesus had started describing this in parables but it got to a point He needed to start speaking plainly to the disciples about it so that it won’t take them by surprise. He knew this was critical to their faith. Even if every other person cannot rationalize what His death stood for, the twelve should be able to understand it.
Before He got to the in-depth and precise words on how He was going to be crucified and made to face public shame, He initiated a discussion with the disciples after a major miracle of feeding 5000 men. He wanted to know if the disciples are beginning to understand the messages He had been passing all along; if they were not just seeing Him as another prophet the way the people saw Him. So, he asked the disciples who they think he is.
Immediately, without any reservation, Peter answered: “The Christ, the Messiah, the son of the Living God”. Peter was on point. He could understand the spirit and discern it perfectly. Jesus was impressed and said “God has blessed you, son of Simon”. And He declared that it was God Himself who revealed this revelation to Peter. I can imagine how happy Peter would be for Jesus to commend what He had just said; this is a priceless complement. When the king of kings approves of your words, who exactly can then question you? It must have been an emotional moment for Peter, filled with unending joy.
So, Jesus believed they were ready to understand exactly what the cross is all about and how this transcends to the salvation of the entire world.
“From then on Jesus began to speak plainly to his disciples about going to Jerusalem, and what would happen to him there- that he would suffer at the hands of the Jewish leaders, that he would be killed, and that three days later he would be raised to life again” Matt 16: 21
Immediately Peter heard this, he struggled in his mind on how this could be possible, even while the Messiah had them as His disciples? He called Jesus aside to remonstrate with Him: “Heaven forbid, sir”, he said, “This is not going to happen to you!” This was the sincere and the zealous heart desire of Peter. Then, Jesus turned to him and said “Get away from me, you Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me”.
This got me thinking; Peter just shared an on-point revelation about Christ and at his next words, Jesus addressed him as Satan? That was too heavy a word for a follower to stomach. Peter could have been offended from the words of Jesus. He could have decided not to ever speak again in the midst of the disciples. Six days later, Jesus took Peter and other two to the mount of transfiguration and Uncle Peter still spoke there. How awesome a personality he is!
The address of Jesus to Peter wasn’t to Peter as a person; he obviously would not have metamorphosed into a devil just within that period. Jesus was addressing the word that came out of him. The word he spoke at that moment was against the will of God. Jesus was in a tough point of decision about the cross. He needed to hear words in line with the Father’s will. It was that word He condemned, not Peter as a person. Now, Peter could have held it and become bitter about God but he never took offense.
In same way, there are many things we hear that become so hurting that we don’t let go whereas those words are not intended to hurt us. If Peter had because of the reprimand left the company of Jesus, he would not have had the transfiguration experience. Offenses are magnified in our hearts when we take thoughts of our rights and status so personally.
When your heart becomes a bank of offense, you’d quickly lose the revelations God has in stock for you. A heart filled with offenses cannot see the beauty of God’s glory. The words that come to you don’t define you. It is who you are with that defines you. When the spirit of offense is at work, it has a way of just bringing every word people say around you to mean they are spiting you. It makes excuses for why somebody somewhere is saying something and it must be to spite you due to your current predicament.
Offenses don’t fulfill its purpose when the words come forth; it fulfills its purpose when you begin to nurse it in your heart; the devil then rejoices. Let go of every offense; stay with the master. When the spirit of offense comes knocking, shut the door. Don’t let offense change your nature. Be vigilant.
Be Innovated
Olufemi Ibitoye
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