One day as the disciples were walking with Jesus, He began to talk about a matter of His own death and this topic did not sit well with one of the disciples, namely Peter. Peter loved the Lord and had recently experienced a revelation about Jesus that came from the Father, but this day, Peter was not commended by Jesus, but rather rebuked (Matthew 16:23).
“…Jesus began to explain to His disciples that He must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that He must be killed and on the third day be raised to life” Matthew 16:21).
“Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, ‘Never, Lord!’ he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Matthew 16:22.
Can you imagine, first of all, rebuking the Lord? Well, before we all throw stones at Peter, let’s look a little deeper.
Right then, Jesus gave His own rebuke. He said to Peter… “Get behind me, Satan!” “You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” Matthew 16:23. This last comment by Jesus should strike all of our hearts because Jesus never stops at a symptom, but always goes to the root. The root of Peter’s words toward Jesus was that he didn’t have in mind the things of God - but rather the things of men.
Let’s stop there and ask ourselves… How many times have we too been earthly minded? We launched into our ways because we didn’t understand the plan and purpose of God in that situation.
Six days later, Peter, James and John were invited by Jesus to come along with Him to a high mountain. Jesus was transfigured before them. These three disciples were given a rare opportunity to see Jesus as he really was. If you study the book of Revelation, you will see the majesty of Jesus. John records that Jesus’ head and hair were white like wool, as white as snow, and His eyes were like blazing fire. His face was like the sun shining in all its brilliance (Revelation 1:12-16). The disciples, this day on the mountain saw what John would later see on the island of Patmos. What an awesome sight that must have been.
In addition to seeing Jesus glorified before them, Moses and Elijah also appeared and they were talking with Jesus. What a holy moment to observe quietly, yet Peter had something to say, rather, something he wanted to DO.
“Peter said to Jesus, “Lord, it is good for us to be here. If you wish, I will put up three shelters --- one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah” Matthew 17:4.Peter wanted to DO SOMETHING. Isn’t that the way we are? We don’t know how to be silent and meditate for awhile on the holy things God wants to impart to us. The first thing we want is to "DO SOMETHING."
While Peter is still speaking, the voice of God Almighty breaks in…. while a cloud envelops them all. “This is my Son, whom I love; with Him I am well pleased. Listen to Him!” Matthew 17:5.
Peter is no longer talking! He’s on his face along with James and John terrified! The Father identified Jesus as His Son whom He loved and was pleased with, but He also said, "LISTEN TO HIM!"
We've all heard it said that there’s a reason we have two ears and one mouth. Most likely, it's because we should listen more (twice as much) and talk less. That’s a tough one for people like me who can really relate to Peter. I have been guilty of opening mouth - inserting foot sooo many times in my life. Yet, like Peter, I know that the Lord will finish the good work He has begun in me until the day of Christ Jesus (Phil 1:3).
The reason I’ve connected these two passages of scripture is because I believe “listening to the Lord” will produce “having in mind the things of God.” Remember when Jesus told Peter, you are a stumbling block to me because you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men? Peter demonstrated once again at the transfiguration someone who still did not have in mind the things of God.
The mountaintop experience that Peter, James and John had was not to be a building project for Jesus, Moses and Elijah. It was a holy experience that did not need WORDS & DEEDS.
Remember, Jesus did nothing of himself, instead He only did what He saw the Father do (John 5:19). This is an example for us. God is more interested in how we are transformed by what’s been revealed. You might recall a time when Jesus revealed Himself to you as a faithful unconditional loving friend or perhaps as your healer. How ever the Father reveals His Son to you and me is not so that we run and do something. It’s that we immerse deeper in our relationship with Jesus. Our doing His will comes only out of our knowing Him.
Ephesians 1:17, “I keep asking that the God of our Lord Jesus Christ, the glorious Father, may give you the Spirit of wisdom and revelation, so that you may know Him better.” (Prayed by the Apostle Paul)
The point of it all is that we may know HIM better. The way to get to know Jesus is by listening to Him as we spend time with Him everyday. As a friend of God, He will reveal his secrets to you, “Call to me and I will answer you and tell you great and unsearchable things you do not know“ Jeremiah 33:3. As we listen, we will learn His ways and He then will be able to order our steps. We will have in mind the things of God!
When we do not have in mind the things of God, we can be more of a hindrance and a stumbling block just as Peter would have been had he been in charge of Jesus’ future. His protection of Jesus would have kept Jesus from going to the cross! We know that it was God’s divine plan, from the beginning of time to send Jesus to die once for the sins of all. Isaiah 50:10, “Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush Him and cause him to suffer….” He was sent as a guilt offering for you and me.
Well, Praise God there came a time for Peter when he did have in mind… the things of God and that should give us all hope. Following the outpouring of the Holy Spirit (Acts 2), Peter stood up with his fellow disciples and raised his voice to speak to the crowd (Acts 2:14). He began by saying to the people… “LISTEN CAREFULLY TO WHAT I HAVE TO SAY.” Hmm… I believe Peter had learned to listen and now God gave him a platform!
Peter told the people that Jesus was handed over to them by God’s set purpose and foreknowledge…. (Acts 2:23). So, you see, Peter did finally have in mind the … things of God!
This has given me hope and I pray the same for you. We all have fallen short in our knowledge of God and His ways. That is why we must ask the Father for wisdom and knowledge that we may know him better. We do not want to be a stumbling block to his purposes coming forth in the earth today. We do not want to hinder His work. In fact, we should long to join Him in fulfilling His dream for us and for the lost.
We must desire to be in alignment with Him at all times that we may share in God’s purposes and plans being fulfilled in the earth. From the words of the Father…. LISTEN TO HIM! I pray that this burns in your heart today so that we have in mind… THE THINGS OF GOD!
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