The Perspective

The Perspective

Matthew 16:22-23, NLT

But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!” 23Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

Setting the Scene

Having just confessed his heartfelt belief in Jesus as “the Messiah, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16, NLT) and having been given great authority in the Kingdom of Heaven (Matthew 16:18-19), Peter was shaken to hear Jesus predict these terrible events. He must have wondered what Jesus’ death would mean for the disciples, specifically for him. So Peter began to “reprimand” or rebuke Jesus. The word translated “reprimand” is a strong term meaning that Peter was rejecting Jesus’ interpretation of the Messiah as a suffering figure. In effect, Peter was trying to talk Jesus out of going to the Cross. But if Jesus hadn’t suffered and died, Peter would have died in his sins.

Shortly before this interaction, Jesus had told Peter, “You are blessed, Simon son of John” (Matthew 16:17, NLT). But at this point Jesus told him, “Get away from me, Satan!” Peter had quickly turned from God’s perspective to evaluating the situation from a human one. In the process, he was using one of Satan’s tactics in trying to protect his beloved Master.

Peter and the other disciples were motivated by love and admiration for Jesus; nevertheless, their job was not to guide and protect him but to follow him. Unknowingly, the disciples were trying to prevent Jesus from going to the Cross and fulfilling his mission. Only after Jesus’ death and resurrection would they fully understand why he had to die.

Getting Personal

When do you slip into viewing life from an earthly, human perspective?

In what ways does seeing life from God’s perspective affect your relationships? Your work and career? Your view of success? Your plans for the future?

When he tempted Jesus in the wilderness (see Matthew 4), Satan tried to get him to look at his life and the world from a human point of view. Why endure a cross when you can have an earthly crown? But God’s perspective changes everything. Way more important than any earthly fame, fortune, relationships, or power is doing what God wants. This life is but a prelude to eternal life with him.

Talking to God

Thank God for the blessings of this beautiful world he gave you to live in—rich with delights for the senses. But also ask God to make unseen truths and his invisible presence just as real and important to you. Ask God to help you see all that he has made with a godly perspective.