Jesus has just told his disciples the purpose of his life was soon to begin, his death and resurrection. They have not understood and wouldn’t for quite some time. Peter was the first to speak up:
“Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.” (Matthew 16 v 22-23)
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him; sometimes your friends can take you aside and away from the path of discipleship and become angry with you for the road you have chosen. Your road isn’t their road.
Jesus turned and said to Peter, Get behind me, Satan; sometimes you have to turn away from your friend and their voice for it is more influential than they realise.
you are a stumbling block to me: sometimes friends take obstacles away from us and sometimes they become the obstacle.
you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns: sometimes friends only have genuine human concern for you but it stands in opposition to the concerns of God.
What kind of friend are you?
