"From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again the third day. Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee. But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." (Matthew 16:21-23 KJV) We probably read about Peter and shake our heads wondering why he did or said the things he said. But if we let the Scriptures truly speak to us, we may find out that we are a lot like Peter. In the passage above we find Peter telling Jesus what should happen. Jesus tells Peter that he is listening to Satan and is a stumbling block to Him. Do we sometimes listen to Satan, and become a stumbling block? In fact, we can become a stumbling block in many areas of our lives if they are not dealt with. How about forgiveness? Peter understood that he needed to forgive but he just wanted to know how many times he had to keep forgiving."Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times? Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven." (Matthew 18:21-22 KJV) Before you start keeping track of how many times you have forgiven someone, Jesus' use of exaggeration is to let us know that there is no limit to forgiveness. As we continue to look at Peter, we again find him trying to tell Jesus what to do. "Then cometh he to Simon Peter: and Peter saith unto him, Lord, dost thou wash my feet? Jesus answered and said unto him, What I do thou knowest not now; but thou shalt know hereafter. Peter saith unto him, Thou shalt never wash my feet. Jesus answered him, If I wash thee not, thou hast no part with me." (John 13:6-8 KJV) Many people can relate to Peter. Many times we try and tell God what to do. Just like Peter, we have many areas in our lives that need to be broken if we are going to be able to serve the Lord effectively. One more look at Peter in John, chapter 21. Jesus asks Peter three times if he loves Him and each time Peter says he does and each time Jesus tells Peter to feed and take care of his sheep. But again we find Peter questioning Jesus about John who was following behind them. "Peter seeing him saith to Jesus, Lord, and what shall this man do? Jesus saith unto him, If I will that he tarry till I come, what is that to thee? follow thou me." (John 21:21-22 KJV) Christians only have one requirement and that is to love Jesus so deeply that they are willing to do whatever He asks. What is in your life that is keeping you from being the person God wants you to be?
