Perspective

Read Mark 7:24–8:38

31. Jesus began to tell them that the Son of Man must suffer many terrible things and be rejected by the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but three days later he would rise from the dead.
32. As he talked about this openly with his disciples, Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things.
33. Jesus turned around and looked at his disciples, then reprimanded Peter. “Get away from me, Satan!” he said. “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”
34 Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me.
35. If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it.” Mark 8:31-35

When you join a club or organization, you do so because you know something of its philosophy, goals, and activities. When decisions are made and events planned that seem contrary to your knowledge of the club’s purpose, you wonder what is going on. You may even speak up and question the club’s integrity.

Peter thought he had signed up with the Triumphant King Club, but here he receives a rude awakening. Jesus sets Peter straight, gives him the proper picture, and puts him back on the path of service. As you read, consider what really is involved in becoming a follower of the King.

In this passage Jesus also heals the sick and blind, feeds the hungry, teaches the disciples, corrects the misapprehensions of others, and predicts his death for the first time.

When Jesus talked about the rejection, suffering, and death that he would soon face, Peter took him aside and told him to stop. In modern words Peter was saying, “Quit that negative talk!” Jesus’ response left no doubt where Peter had steered wrong: “You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s” (Mark 8:33).

Perspective makes all the difference. Peter misjudged Jesus’ statement because of his poor perspective. We need to look on our circumstances from God’s point of view. This requires that we become familiar with God’s priorities and values and see the big picture. This only comes by reading and studying the Scriptures.

The next time God’s ways seem silly or out of line with “enlightened thinking,” stop and ask God to help you see it all from his angle.