GOOD DAY, BAD DAY

MATTHEW 16:13-17; 21-23 NKJ 
13 When Jesus came into the region of Caesarea Philippi, He asked His disciples, saying, "Who do men say that I, the Son of Man, am?" 
14 So they said, "Some say John the Baptist, some Elijah, and others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." 
15 He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" 
16 Simon Peter answered and said, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God." 
17 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. 

OBSERVATION: 

21 From that time Jesus began to show to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised the third day. 

22 Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him, saying, "Far be it from You, Lord; this shall not happen to You!" 

23 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." 
 

I am using more verses than normal today to show the contrast in Peters' day. It may not have been a 24-hour period, but it's in the same chapter, so please indulge me. 

Jesus asked His disciples two questions. Who do men say that He was? And who do they, the disciples, say Jesus was? 

The first question is not nearly as important as the second question, not even close. Who do men say Jesus is, can be all over the spectrum of answers.   

Some say Jesus was a great teacher or a moral example. Some say He was an almost mythical figure. Some doubt His very existence. Depending on who you listen to, Jesus is everything from Lord and Savior to just a good man to non-existent.   

But what men say is not the most important question. Jesus did not address the answers that the disciples gave listing Him as John the Baptist or one of the prophets. Jesus had a question for His disciples. "But who do you say that I am?  

And that is the question of the ages. Peter got it right when he said the Christ, the Son of the living God. Jesus commended Peter for his answer. Jesus called Peter's response a revelation from God. That had to be a good day for Peter.   

However, Jesus began to explain what was going to happen to Him in the future, and Peter rebuked Him. This was not a good idea. When Peter declared that nothing bad was going to happen, Jesus rebuked Peter and told him that he was more focused on man's things than God's things. This was not a good day for Peter.   

APPLICATION: 

Peter had a genuine revelation of who Jesus was. But he did not have the whole picture. Peter saw Jesus as the coming King who would rule over Israel and break Roman rulership. He missed the concept of Jesus as the sacrificial lamb who would take away the sin of the world. 

Peter may have been mindful of what Jesus as the national leader could do for him personally. But that was not the plan.   

When revelation of God's plan enters our hearts, we must be careful not to add our own ambition. God's plan will bless us, but it will be a blessing to others. So, as we approach the Lord, we want to make sure we want what He wants. We want to be mindful of the things of God. And that will be a good day for us help build a good life for us.   

PRAYER: 

Dear Father, help me to be conscious of and focused on what You want and what pleases You.