Most of us are familiar with the phrase “put one’s foot in one’s mouth”, meaning to say something foolish, embarrassing, or tactless. We’ve all done that at one time or another, and we can really feel ridiculous or thoughtless afterwards! As we read through the Gospels, we see that the Apostle Peter was one who often spoke before he thought, and in that foot would go. He was quick to say that he would never turn away from Jesus, yet before the night was over, he had denied three times even knowing the Savior. In our Scripture this morning, Peter will again misspeak. Let’s take a look at what he said, why he said it, and the lessons Jesus taught.
As our passage from the Gospel of Mark opens, Jesus was instructing His disciples, telling them about His upcoming death at the hands of the religious leaders, and then subsequent resurrection on the third day (vs. 31). Jesus spoke of this on more than one occasion. This time, though, when Peter heard what He said, he thought that no, that can’t, shouldn’t happen. He thought that he and the other apostles needed to do what was necessary to prevent this from happening. The thought of their beloved teacher and leader being captured and executed was quite disturbing, to say the least. Neither Peter nor the other disciples could understand or comprehend a dying Messiah. The common belief at this time was that the Messiah would come and liberate the people of Israel from being under subjection to the Roman Empire. They felt that the Messiah would be a mighty warrior and deliverer, so a Messiah that would die just did not fit into the picture they had in their minds. The Jews wanted a Messiah who would liberate them from the yoke of Rome, not a Savior who would free them from their bondage to sin.
Peter quickly spoke up and told Jesus that this just couldn’t happen, that he and the others wouldn’t let it happen. He told Jesus that He needed to make sure that such a fate would not occur (vs. 32). In speaking what was probably also the thoughts of the other eleven, Peter was not comprehending God’s purpose, but instead these were his own desires and feelings. He was showing presumption, and misunderstanding, but also showing a deep love for Jesus.
Why was what Peter said so terrible? Why was it deserving of the response that Jesus gave in verse 33? Not only was Peter not comprehending God’s plans, and putting his own desires ahead of God’s, but by urging Jesus to avoid the cross, he was tempting Jesus. We must remember that Jesus was not only divine, the Second Person of the Trinity, but He was also human. The thought of a tortuous death on the cross would have been fearful. These words were tempting Jesus from going to the cross, and fulfilling His mission on earth. Moments before, Peter had been praised by Jesus for speaking God’s truth (Matthew 16:13-20). Now he was condemned as Satan’s mouthpiece. Jesus’ sacrificial death was God’s plan. Whoever opposed that death was, wittingly or not, advocating Satan’s work.
Jesus then spoke to all of the apostles, teaching them the Gospel truth of denying oneself, and taking up our cross and following Him (vs. 34-38). To “take up our cross” means self-denial to the point of death, if necessary, holding nothing back. Cross-bearing has to do with submission to Jesus Christ. To many, this doesn’t sound attractive. Jesus challenges us to bear our cross in sacrificial service to Him. No one who is unwilling to deny himself can legitimately claim to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
The teaching of the Savior continues by stating that those who pursue a life of ease, comfort, and acceptance by the world will not find eternal life. Those who give up their lives for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel will find it. We should be willing to lose our life for the Gospel, if necessary. Nothing can compare with what we gain with Jesus. Choose to follow Him, rather than leading a life of sin and self-satisfaction. To have all that the world has to offer, yet not have Jesus, is to be eternally bankrupt (vs. 36-37). All of the world’s goods will not compensate for losing one’s soul eternally.
In closing we need to really remember Jesus’ words here, which are applicable to us in this world today. This world is charging full steam away from anything godly or biblical, and standing up for anything biblical can find people more and more in hot water nowadays. What can we do? Jesus gave us His answer in verse 38. Will we stand up for Him and His truth, or will we choose to go with this world? We can reject Jesus now, and be rejected by Him at His Second Coming, or we can accept Him now and be accepted by Him then. The choice is ours. Choose wisely!
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