Lesson 2344

(Lesson 2344)(05-12-18) Matthew 16:21-23
    “ From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”

   Todays lesson tells us how Jesus told His disciples that He would be taken and killed by the Jewish hierarchy, and that He would rise again on the third day to fulfill His divine mission to overcome sin for all of those who would come to put their faith in Him.
    Hearing Jesus’ words, Peter, in essence, boisterously proclaimed that he would not allow that to happen, whereafter, Jesus scolded Peter, saying; “ Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”
    It is very important to note that Peter, the man to whom Jesus referred as “Satan” is the same man that Jesus had, just a short time earlier, handed the “keys to the kingdom” and, the man to whom Roman Catholicism refers as the “Holy Father” of the church. Whereas, in truth, Peter was just a man, nothing more, nothing less. He was just a vessel, chosen by Jesus, to spread the good news of the coming of the savior. It is my belief that Jesus chose him as the first member of His church because Peter was the first to recognize Jesus as the Messiah, the only begotten Son of God. ~