Head: Know God's Word | Heart: Love God | Hands: Follow God's Way

Read Matthew 16

Head

In today’s reading, we see Jesus telling about His future death and resurrection. He’s explaining to the disciples that He’s going to suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and the scribes. Peter takes Him aside and tells Jesus these horrible things won’t happen to Him. Jesus rebukes him and tells Peter, “Get behind me, Satan!” and He tells him he’s focused on the things of man instead of the things of God.

Heart

When I read this, my first thought was Peter loves Jesus and doesn’t want Him to go through all of the things He was warning them about. When Jesus responds, “Get behind me, Satan!” I was shocked! I didn’t understand why Jesus would say that to somebody who simply loved Him, but as I read on, I realized Jesus wanted Peter to focus on God’s purpose and the plan behind His death and resurrection. He was going to be the Savior of the world!

Hands

I often struggle to see God’s plan because of my own self-centeredness. I feel just like Peter! I don’t want to accept things like death, pain, etc., because I’m so focused on myself and MY struggle. When I look back, I often see that God had a much bigger plan that I didn’t see while I was going through a tough time. Take a minute and evaluate what you’re going through right now. Are you so focused on the pain and issues it’s causing YOU, that you can’t focus on the plan God might have? Ask God to tune your heart to His. Ask that He be glorified in your struggle, and you would be so focused on Him that you never lose sight of the things of God. Remember those things of man pass away, but the things of God last forever!

Prayer: God, I am SO thankful that you sent your son to lay down His life for us. Lord, help me to not be like Peter. Help me to see on the things of You and to let go of the things of man that don’t bring any lasting hope. Always remind me that Your plan and purpose is so much better! I love you! Amen.