Are We Satan's Innocent Assistants?

Once when Jesus declared that he would have to go to Jerusalem to suffer many things of the chief priests and elders and then be crucified, Peter flatly contradicted him — “Not so, Lord.” To Peter’s rebuking, Jesus responded saying: “Get behind Me Satan” (Matthew 16:21-23).

Jesus’ seemingly judgmental response would certainly be out of order in today’s culture. After all, Peter appeared to be concerned about Jesus’ well being, therefore, should not Jesus have been a little more considerate of Peter’s good intentions?

Earlier, Satan had vainly attempted to get Jesus to forsake his sacrificial death (Matthew 4:1-11). However, the truth of the matter was that Satan was behind the seemingly innocent rebuke of Peter. Jesus saw that it was Satan who was working through a beloved friend to tempt him. And even though Peter seemingly had the noblest of motives, he was really aiding Satan.

This is a lesson for us today as the Lord’s followers:

See here.

Mike Riley, Gospel Snippets

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