Matthew 16; Mark 8:11-9:1; Luke 9:18-27: From the highs to the lows sometimes it only takes a matter of a few minutes or seconds. I can’t help thinking about the Alabama vs. Auburn game a few years ago when in the last second the victory was snatched away from the Crimson Tide. Even today the Auburn nation asks frequently “Got a second?” They usually have smile on their faces.
I wonder if Peter must have felt like he too went from the smile of victory to the red faced of embarrassment in a matter of minutes as Jesus asks “Who do men say that I am.” Peter says “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” It was almost at that point as if he becomes the star student and Jesus says “flesh and blood did not reveal that to you but My Father in Heaven”. Then Peter goes from the start student to class dunce when Jesus is explaining that He will have to suffer and die. At that point the star says, may it never be and immediately the shine tarnished and Jesus said, “Get behind me Satan.” Wow! from God’s revelation to him to being called Satan himself. Oh how we easily fall from the heights of wisdom to the depths of self.
I think about myself at times when I know I hear God’s voice and His wisdom being revealed to me. I know because I don’t have the knowledge of wisdom to understand so it must be His hand on me. Then I turn around and give into my selfish natures or desires and think Hold on a second! I know better! I pray God will always reveal when I allow the enemy to cloud my thoughts and heart. I pray I will always run back to Him quickly and to know the Father’ confidence in me to use me to help build His kingdom by loving one person at a time.