He . . . began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things. . . . Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. (Mark 8:31–32)
I’m grateful to have some really good friends. I remember telling one such friend about something going on in my life, and while they showed me some sympathy, they also corrected me on some parts where I was wrong. I appreciated that they loved me enough to be honest with me.
Jesus spoke to his closest friends and told them some things about his life—and the end of it. They didn’t quite understand what was going on, and Peter decided to step in and talk to Jesus about what he was saying. Peter pulled Jesus aside and started to rebuke him for what he was saying.
Jesus then rebuked Peter, even saying to him, “Get behind me, Satan!” (8:33). He told them that they (the disciples) had only human concerns in mind, not God’s concerns.
At times, my friends have had good intentions, but the advice they give me isn’t necessarily the best—sometimes not even accurate. I have at times had to tell them that I don’t agree with them, or just thank them for the advice, but tell them I don’t think that it applies.
Jesus had to put Peter in his place and told him that he didn’t know what he was talking about. Jesus knew Peter’s focus was wrong. The same can happen with people in our lives, so we must be discerning.
Consider what people are telling you about yourself.
Augustine Gidney is a Wesleyan pastor’s kid and recent graduate from Kingswood University, where she majored in counseling and children’s ministry.
© 2020 Wesleyan Publishing House. Reprinted from Light from the Word. Used by permission. Scriptures taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.
