Whose things are you minding?
	By no means would I claim to be on a par with the apostle Peter. But I like him, because in so many ways he reminds me of myself. He sincerely wanted to serve God. Sometimes he did so admirably, other times not. Sometimes he put his foot in his mouth. He had much to learn. I wish I would learn as quickly and as well as he did.
	Matthew 16 contains a remarkable passage demonstrating the ups and downs that characterized Peter. Starting in v. 13, “When Jesus came to Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, ‘Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?’ So they said, ‘Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets.’” The Jews back then had some bizarre ideas about some of their old and respected prophets coming back to life. But that isn’t of great concern to us tonight. Let’s continue in v. 15 – “He said to them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Simon Peter answered and said, ‘You are the Christ, the Son of the living God.’ Jesus answered and said to him, ‘Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.’” Jesus went on to promise to build his church, give Peter the keys to the kingdom. But the point I want to make comes down in verse 21 & following: “From that time Jesus begin to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, an suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, ‘Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to you!’ But He turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.’”
	Do you see the contrast here? In verse 17 Jesus was saying “Blessed are you, Simon Bar-Jonah, for flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but My Father who is in heaven.” Six verses later, He is saying to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are an offense to Me, for you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” What happened? Why bless him one time and call him Satan (adversary) and an offense (stumbling-block) the next time? I’m confident that both times, Peter was honestly trying to do the right thing because he loved Jesus. But the first time He was speaking based on what God told him. The second time he was speaking based on his human feelings and wishes. He didn’t want Jesus to be abused and killed. I can’t help but wonder if Jesus’ prediction of His resurrection even registered with Peter at this point. Given their later actions, it seems to me that none of the twelve comprehended what Jesus said about being raised the 3rd day. Peter isn’t the only one who didn’t get it until after it happened. Regardless, Peter loved Jesus and didn’t want Him to suffer and die. I can identify with that – can’t you? But without Jesus’ sacrificial death, Peter couldn’t be saved, and neither could we or anyone else. Jesus came to seek & save the lost. By discouraging Jesus from suffering and dying, Peter was hindering that mission. I don’t think that was his motive, but that was the result nonetheless.
	Do you and I ever hinder the mission of Christ by minding the things of men rather than the things of God? The Lord obviously wants Christians to grow and develop. We might have to sacrifice some time and effort to do that. An athlete doesn’t become a skilled player by sitting on the couch eating ice cream and guzzling soda pop and watching other athletes on TV. An athlete must exercise – run, pump iron, sit-ups, chin-ups, push-ups, and practice, practice, practice! No pain, no gain! It’s no different being a Christian. Paul said we are in this race to win (1 Cor. 9:24). The gold medal for which we run is eternal life. If we are successful, we must exercise self-control, just like an athlete in training (v. 25). If it is worthwhile to train for a gold medal at the Olympics, how much more so for a crown of life? Self-discipline and training may take you outside of your comfort zone. Is that OK? I really don’t understand where we got this idea that we’re only supposed to do things we’re already comfortable doing. I wonder how comfortable it was for Jesus to leave the splendor of heaven & come to this earth to live in a working-class family & to suffer & die on a Roman cross? If He could do that for me, could I discipline myself to do something for Him that I’m not accustomed to doing, & that makes me uncomfortable right now? “But I’ve never taught a class before – I’ve never given a devotional – I’ve never led a prayer – led a song – invited a neighbor to church – visited someone in the hospital – or a nursing home.” The list is endless. Don’t do this for me – I have no nail prints in my hands. Do it for Jesus, to advance His kingdom. What will He say to you? “Blessed are you”? – or “Get behind Me – you are an adversary, a stumbling-block”! My plea tonight is that you would mind the things of God, not the things of men.
	--Joe Slater (Justin, TX)