We read in The Gospel of Mark in 8:29 where Jesus asks his disciples a question about his identity. “He (Jesus) asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” Peter responded correctly, declaring Jesus was the anointed one, The Christ, The Messiah. However, in declaring that, Peter had his own understanding, description, metrics, and rules defining “The Christ” and how he was supposed to operate and act. Peter had constructed his own “little “box” the Messiah is supposed to fit into.
Just two verses later Peter’s “little Box” was exposed when Jesus operated and acted outside of Peter’s rules and expectation of Him.
“Then Jesus began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and experts in the law, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke openly about this. So Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But after turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You are not setting your mind on Godʼs interests, but on manʼs.”
“Satan” means adversary. Peter in just a matter of a few minutes went from being a disciple of Jesus following him, to an adversary of Jesus rebuking, defying and trying to change and control the plans of Jesus. Peter was trying to force Jesus back into his “little box.”
As I read this, thoughts condemnation against Peter should not come to my mind, but thoughts of correction on my own understanding, description, metrics, and rules defining “The Christ” and how he is supposed to operate and act. How have I constructed my own “little “box” the Messiah is supposed to fit into.
If someone were to ask me, “Who is Jesus?” I would answer correctly as Peter did. “He is Jesus Christ, the Messiah.” But does my declaration of who he is really line up in my heart, my obedience, my lifestyle, the way I love, the way I forgive…ect, with who he really is?
In what areas of my life of following and understanding of Jesus would he praise me for? In what areas of my life supposedly following him and wrongly understanding of him would he openly rebuke me? In what ways if Jesus revealing himself to me that I do not like or want to deny is true and try to push back into my nice “little box” so I can comfortably believe in Jesus and pretend I am actually following Him.
Jesus is so for outside any box we can try to put him inside. Jesus and the cross can never be domesticated, in Jesus name.
My family, I pray as you read these passages in Mark that you will have the courage to ask the Holy Spirit to reveal to you the “little box” you have put Jesus in and pray for a newer, truer, awakening and insight into who Jesus really is. Please pray the same for me. God bless you my friends!
