In this morning’s Gospel (Mark 8:31-38) reading we hear that Jesus has decided that it is now time for him to begin sharing with his Disciples and followers just what the future would have in store for him as well as what they should be preparing themselves for. Jesus knew that he was going to have to suffer greatly. He also knew and understood that both he and his teachings where already being openly and vehemently rejected by the orthodox religious leaders. But then he crossed the line. He began speaking to them about how he would be killed, and how he would then rise up again after three days. It is not at all surprising to many of us that Peter had attempted to take Jesus aside so that he could rebuke Jesus. Nor is it at all a surprise to any of us that it was Jesus who ended up rebuking Peter.
When we read this story, when we study this text, it is so easy for us to see why Jesus would identify Satan as the real source of the conflict. We know that Jesus is not really claiming that Peter is Satan; rather we know that Jesus is identifying that the real source of the Peter’s actions is being driven by Satan. And yet it is often so hard for us to identify when Satan is being an active force within our own lives and actions.
Remember that it is Jesus then who tells Peter, “For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”[1] It is all too easy for many of us humans to become distracted by side issues rather than keeping our focus on the true objectives. If you are having some difficulty believing this, than watch closely the next time you are with a friend and their grandchild; observe how easy it is for the child to bait and switch the adult.
Jesus than quickly uses this confrontation as a teachable moment. He turns to all of those who are gathered around him and tells them some of the key points of this lesson. If we want to truly be followers of God’s will, then it cannot be about ourselves! We are going to have to learn how to set our egos aside, and we are going to have to be prepared to make sacrifices for others. If what we are worried about is how to live the “good life” as taught by either our local community or the world at large, then we have already lost sight of being a part of the Kingdom of God.
One of the key questions asked by Jesus in all of the Gospels is this, “For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?”[2] Most of us would not be willing to trade our lives here on earth for a few brief moments of pleasure. But then that’s not the way to advertise a product that will destroy your life. Drug dealers do not want you to know about the side effects and the health costs of their products and activities … and neither does Satan. Why is it that the unhealthy and unsafe habits are so easy to learn and practice, while the good habits are so hard to learn? Learning to reach out to those in need around us with true love in our hearts is not easy to learn or to remember to practice … but it is what Jesus and God are calling us to do.
Being in relationship with God is not as much about laws and rules as it is about love and respect. If we truly want to be with God both now and forever, then what we need to do is to remember to reach out to God and all of God’s chilren with genuine respect and with true love.
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