Today’s Reading: Luke Ch 12
Optional readings: Luke Ch 13, John Ch 10
Evangelistic Appeals to the Multitudes
“Get behind me, Satan!”
I’m recalling the reading from four days ago. If you only read Luke’s account of when Peter clearly declared Jesus as Messiah, you didn’t read this part. Matthew tells the same account, but follows it with this record of a second conversation with Peter. Jesus had called Simon Peter “blessed” because the Father had revealed Jesus’ true identity to Peter, and he professed it. In the next paragraph, Jesus calls this same Peter “Satan.” Whoa. Why?
He tells us. Jesus had just explained that He would have to suffer and die, to which Peter responded, “Never, Lord! 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 16:23
A quick aside: I think I would be remiss if I didn’t point out how the spirit realm influenced Peter’s thoughts. The Father revealed the truth about the Messiah to Peter, and Satan influenced his thoughts regarding Jesus’ crucifixion. Note that Peter didn’t originate either thought. This is why it is so important to be bathing in the truth of Scripture consistently, renewing our minds (Romans 12:2) and guarding our hearts (Proverbs 4:23).
This account always startled me. I bet it startled Peter too! It came to mind as I was praying over today’s passages. As I read, I saw so clearly that those in the passages “do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”
How can we avoid the hypocrisy of the Pharisees (vs. 1-2)? By keeping a holy God who sees our heart at the forefront of our mind and being less concerned about the opinions of men.
How is it that we, Jesus’ disciples, can possibly “not be afraid of those who kill the body” (vs. 4)? By trusting that the God in whom we trust is on the other side of death and that eternal reward far outweighs momentary affliction (2 Cor 4:17).
Why did Jesus rebuke the man in the crowd with the parable of the rich fool (vs. 13-21)? Because both the man asking about inheritance and the man in the parable were more focused on earthly possessions than eternal matters.
Why do we fret and worry about food, clothing, or any earthly thing (vs 22-34)? Because we cannot see past the short-term concerns to fully walk in faith that God provides all we need.
There is a common thread that strings all these teachings together.
Put on eternal eyes.
View everything, from your budget to your safety, through the lens of eternity.
Jesus brings the teachings full circle by ending with a warning to remain faithful and watchful. No one knows the day or the hour of the Lord’s return (Matt 24:36), but I know we are closer than the crowds to whom Jesus was speaking in these passages! If He warned them to always be ready, how much more do we need that warning?
As your heart grows closer to God, the more your eyes will shift to the eternal.
And likewise…
As you make yourself look at things from an eternal perspective, the more your heart will grow closer to the Lord and His purposes.
So fear God more than man. Store up treasures in heaven instead of on earth. Use your resources for the kingdom and not yourself. Don’t worry. Don’t be afraid. And be watching for the Lord’s return!
View everything with eternal eyes.
Eternal God, this is hard for us, because we can’t see You! We can’t always see what You’re doing. The physical needs for food and safety are real. Help my unbelief! Forgive me for my earthly eyes. I know You are real, and I know You are in control, so help me to live that out with my choices and my actions. Help us all to “fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen, since what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal” (2 Cor 4:18). Amen.