Are You Thinking About God's Concerns or Human Concerns?
“From then on Jesus began to point out to his disciples that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders, chief priests, and scribes, be killed, and be raised the third day. Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, ‘Oh no, Lord! This will never happen to you!’
Jesus turned and told Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me because you’re not thinking about God’s concerns but human concerns.’” Matthew 16:21-23 CSB
Peter was an ordinary, blue-collar guy— a fisherman. A man who knew hard work, early mornings, and the rhythm of the sea. Then Jesus called him, and Peter said yes. He walked with Jesus, saw the miracles, heard the teachings, and even got to be part of it all.
And yet, in a moment of deep conviction, Peter pulled Jesus aside to tell him, essentially, “This isn’t how it’s supposed to go. I won’t let it go down like that!” No suffering. No cross. Not on his watch. He probably thought he was being helpful, protective even, but instead, he was getting in the way of God’s redemptive Kingdom coming. Peter was allowing his fear, his hesitation, his misunderstanding—his own desires—to hinder the very work of God.
Jesus didn’t sugarcoat his response and he wasn't gentle. His pointed and direct response was without hesitation, “Get behind me, Satan!” Notice the exclamation point. Yes that’s in scripture.
This Is Heavy
Strong words. Direct. Unapologetic. Jesus knew the weight of this moment. He saw who was really behind Peter’s hesitations and concerns. The enemy was using human logic to resist divine purpose.
And here’s the reality check: How often do we do the same thing?
How often do we let fear, uncertainty, or our own preferences get in the way of what God is trying to do?
How often do we resist what Jesus is calling us to because it doesn’t fit our plan?
Maybe it’s in your personal life. Maybe it’s in your church. Maybe you’re a leader, and without even realizing it, you’ve been thinking more about human concerns than God’s Kingdom work.
The Turning Point
This moment with Peter is a turning point in his discipleship, in his growth, and in his trust of Jesus. It forces us to ask: Are we willing to accept that following Jesus means surrendering our own expectations?
Jesus doesn’t leave this moment hanging. Right after this, he clearly lays out what it really means to follow him. Almost as if to say—Hey, pay attention. If you’re going to follow me, it’s going to cost you.
“Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me will find it. For what will it benefit someone if he gains the whole world yet loses his life? Or what will anyone give in exchange for his life? For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will reward each according to what he has done. Truly I tell you, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in his kingdom.” Matthew 16:24-28 CSB
Following Jesus isn’t about keeping things safe or predictable. It’s about trust. It’s about obedience. It’s about being submissive. It’s about laying down our own desires and stepping into something far bigger than ourselves. And trusting that plan could be hard— especially if we don’t see the vision clearly.
Church Concerns
We see this play out in churches all the time. Decisions get made, plans get set, and inevitably, there are voices that resist. “That’s not how we’ve done it before.” “Are we sure this is the right way?” “What if it doesn’t work?” “Their leadership style is too strong—won’t people be put off?” “What if they push too hard?” “How will that impact our church?”
But what if those concerns—though well-meaning—are actually getting in the way of what God is trying to do? What if, like Peter, we’re clinging to our own understanding rather than surrendering to God’s leading? What if— we lack trust.
So, the questions we need to ask ourselves:
Are we truly thinking about God’s concerns or just our own?
Are we getting in the way, or are we getting behind Jesus?
Let’s sit with that today.
As you go, make disciples who follow Jesus!
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