Wednesday, August 26, 2026

Matthew 16:22-23 

Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.” 

They say we reserve the harshest words for those in our own family. Jesus unleashed these harsh words on Peter, calling him the “adversary” (Satan) and “a stumbling block.” He scolded Peter for setting his mind on human thing, and not on what God wanted to accomplish. 

This is hard! Peter wanted Jesus to be a different kind of Messiah, true, but mostly Peter objected to Jesus’ plan because Peter loved Jesus. If we had children who wanted to join the armed forces and serve their country in the most dangerous places in the world, we would object, too. Love wants the best for the other. Peter wanted the best for Jesus. 

But love also means letting someone do what they feel called to do. You may have experienced that with your kids or with your spouse. And, to be honest, we may need to love ourselves enough to let go of what is holding us back from living out our calling to the fullest. 

– Pr. Paul

Lord Jesus, what we know is what we are most comfortable with. Stir in us the vision you have for our future. Then give us the trust in you to “step out of the boat” and come to where you are calling us. Amen.