During a season of illness and while observing the ministry situation in Indonesia, which at times appeared stalled, I was drawn to Jesus’ interaction with Peter in Matthew 16:13-23. In this passage, Peter experiences two very different moments.
First, Jesus asks His disciples, “But what about you? Who do you say I am?” Simon Peter responds, “You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God.” Jesus affirms him, saying, “Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For this was not revealed to you by flesh and blood, but by my Father in heaven. And on this rock I will build my church.” In that moment, Peter speaks with divine insight and is commended for aligning his words with the Father’s revelation.
Yet only a short time later, the same Peter is sharply rebuked. When Peter resists Jesus’ path toward the cross, Jesus says, “Get behind me, Satan. You are a stumbling block to me.” The difference between these two moments is striking—the same man, the same heart, but a different perspective. Read More
