Jesus, Our True North | The Rev. John Sundara

It begins with these words, from that time.

Well, what time is Matthew referring to? It's the time right after Peter has confessed that Jesus is the Messiah.

But Peter's conception of the Messiah most likely was some sort of victorious and triumphant David-like figure.

One who would go up to Jerusalem, wage war against Israel's enemies, win and take his throne.

But Jesus shares a very different vision of his Messiahship, a different future vision.

Yes, he will go up to Jerusalem, but not to wage war against Israel's enemies, but rather to be rejected and humiliated and crucified by Israel's elite.

And then he will rise again.

Peter, of course, is quite shocked by such a revelation because if Jesus is crucified, then Peter loses too.

Remember, Peter's career success is highly dependent upon Jesus' career success.

Peter made an asymmetrical bet.

He rolled the dice.

He ran a cost-benefit analysis and he abandoned his family fishing business to follow Jesus.

In his mind, he's thinking, well, hopefully this is all not for nothing.

And so Peter rebukes Jesus.

It would be like Peter telling Jesus, hold on a second, Jesus.

Stop there for just a minute.

Don't mess with my 401k.

I've staked a lot to follow you.

Just think about me for a minute.

And so Jesus rebukes Peter and calls him Satan.

Now I've been called a lot of things in my life.

Satan just isn't one of them.

And that too from the Lord.

Right? But Jesus isn't done.

After calling Peter Satan, Jesus calls Peter a hindrance to Christ's mission.