Matthew 16:21-23
“Never, Lord…”
Last week we met Jesus in Caeseria Philippi, the city of gods and cults. Jesus surprised his disciples with his question: "Who do the people say I am?" and "Who do you say I am?" "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God", Simon declared. It was in just then that Jesus called him Peter (rock) and said he would build his church on that rock.
Jesus said he would give Peter the keys of the kingdom of heaven. Do you remember the moment when you were given your first key? How did it feel? Did you ever lose keys? How about master keys?
Keys mean responsibility. Keys should not be misused nor lost.
Jesus gives the key to Peter. He gives him a responsibility, a costly one.
Then Jesus begins to explain that he must go to Jerusalem. If we agree that Jesus is the Christ, and ready to take the "key", we need to go to Jerusalem with him. Jesus says: "Come with me to the cross. The 'key' will be used on the cross."
Peter, who made the incredible declaration about Jesus, could not understand why the Son of God needed to go to Jerusalem, suffer, die and be raised. Therefore, he said, "Never, Lord." He opposed the whole idea of going to Jerusalem.
Peter here reminds us of Satan at the beginning of the ministry of Jesus. Satan did tempt Jesus. Satan invited Jesus to bow down and worship him. The promised result? The whole world would be given to Jesus! "Away from me, Satan", was the powerful response. He rejected the offer, the pleasant, easier way of life. According to the Gospel of Luke, Satan left him until an opportune time. (Luke 4:13)
Was Peter's response "an opportune time" of temptation? Surely. Jesus taught us to pray, "Lead us not into temptation and deliver us from evil..." He was often tempted. He was tempted to give up his mission, his trip to Jerusalem.
How did Jesus deal with the temptations he faced? He either confronted them and fought them, or just sent them away. "Flee the evil desires of youth," was Paul's advice to Timothy, his son (2 Tim 2:22). Fleeing temptation is not failure; actually, it is victory.
Declaring that Jesus is the Christ is costly. We need to go with him to Jerusalem.