November 23, 2020: SOAP #4008:  Matthew 14-16

SCRIPTURE:  Matthew (NIV) 16:21  From that time on 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. 22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” 23 Jesus turned and 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.”

OBSERVATION:  What was Peter doing that cause Jesus to call him an adversary (Satan) and to say that Peter was a stumbling block to Him?  Peter said that the Father’s will would never happen.  Peter’s words were expressions of Peter’s thoughts.  He was not considering that Jesus had told them the truth about what lay ahead.  He would have denied Jesus the crucifixion, also the resurrection!  

APPLICATION:  I wonder how many times I have evaluated something or someone from man’s perspective instead of God’s plan for their life.  How often have I said, “That cannot be done!”  or “They will never change!”  or “That is impossible!”  or “God cannot do that in my circumstances!”  How often have I had more faith in what man can do for me than in what God can do for me?   It is true that God may send help through people, but what a blessing to know that they are responding to God’s direction and not my plea for help.  When I know it is God who is hearing and responding to my prayer—that builds faith!  

How many times have I been a “stumbling” block instead of a steppingstone? 

PRAYER:  Heavenly Father, forgive me for having such limited faith in Who you Are and what you can do.  Increase my faith. Amen

Pastor Leon
Making friends for time and eternity!