Today’s reading is a deliberate shift in tone toward a clearer foreshadowing and explanation of what comes at the end of Matthew’s Gospel: the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. It’s a really big deal. (Put it in bold AND italics. Underline it, circle it, put a big asterisk next to this part of your Bible. It’s monumental!)
Note the word Jesus uses here as he tells his disciples what’s to come: he says it is necessary. This isn’t just the falling apart of a story; this is the coming together of God’s plan. It’s going to be painful, but this part has to happen.
Peter absolutely cannot deal with this information. In a move that’s a little surprising for loud-mouthed, speak-first-and-apologize-later Peter, he takes Jesus aside for a reprimand. He doesn’t just blurt out what he thinks, which shows a little personal growth for Peter!
Alas, the personal growth doesn’t actually extend to what Jesus wants Peter to truly grasp: the truth about what is coming. Even after this rebuke from Jesus, Peter still doesn’t get it. (Fast forward to Jesus’ arrest in the Garden of Gethsemane, where Peter pulls out his sword and cuts off the ear of one of the arresting officers.)
Jesus’ rebuke of Peter is one that haunts me from time to time. Where am I so boldly acting FOR Jesus, but rather than being led by God himself, I’m just reacting from my own worldly point of view? Where am I so sure that I’ve absolutely gotten it and actually completely missed it?
Jesus offers the antidote for this condition: surrender. Surrender to the God of all creation, of all created order, the author of love and mercy. Surrender your plans and perspectives to the one who knows that what seems like an absolute tragedy is going to be THE thing that solidifies God’s redemption for all people, for all time.
“Is anything worth your whole soul?” (Matthew 8:37). It’s a sobering question. It’s a holy question. And it leads us to important reflection questions that Matthew’s Gospel has been getting at in these texts all week long …
Reflection:
- Peter resists Jesus because the path ahead doesn’t match his expectations. Where do you feel tension between your plans and what God may be inviting you into?
- In what areas of your life are you “acting for Jesus” while still being driven primarily by fear, control, comfort, or pride?
- Jesus describes surrender as the path to life, not loss. What makes surrender feel threatening rather than freeing for you?
- “Is anything worth your whole soul?” What competes most aggressively for your attention, loyalty, and identity right now?