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The Pilgrim Path (8-20-2020)

The Pilgrim Path---Mark 8: 31—33

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

SETTING YOUR MIND

Perhaps I have rebuked the LORD Jesus Christ far more times than I would like to admit. You know, taken Him aside and told Him He was wrong about things---that He really did not know best. Have you ever done that? Made light of His wisdom, knowledge, guidance, teaching, direction, and purpose? It is a rather foolish path to take---but who said human beings are always prone to be sharp---even Church-ed people? This passage is quite humbling. Peter moves Jesus aside---to move Him from what Peter thinks is terrible thinking: That Jesus must die for His Own? Whoa---Jesus is not impressed. Jesus must tell Peter that he is being an instrument of the devil. Hard words---but true, nonetheless. The late Dr. William Hendriksen really sums this segment up well,

For Peter, the very idea of messiahship excluded suffering and execution. The disciple, as also the others, had been walking behind Jesus. Now he pulls the Master aside and begins to rebuke him. What the others may have thought he uttered. He was the man of words and action. What they may have wanted to do he did. According to Matthew, Peter said, “Mercy on thee, LORD, this shall never happen to thee.” Of course, Peter should have known better. Had he never read Isaiah 53? Did he not remember that John the Baptist had described Jesus as “the Lamb of God who is taking away the sin of the world” ? What Peter did was therefore inexcusable. But if that be true, what shall we say about those critics today who are constantly pointing to Jesus as the Example to follow but reject the fact that he cannot be our Example unless first of all and most of all he is our LORD and Savior, who by his voluntary, sacrificial, substitutionary death saves his people from their sin and brings them to glory? Christ’s reaction was prompt, decisive, and forceful. He fully realized that back of Peter stood Satan, who was attempting once more, as he had done previously (Matt. 4: 8, 9), to turn the attention of Jesus away from the cross. Not for a moment does the Savior dilly-dally. He puts into practice the advice he gave to others (9: 43; Matt. 5: 29, 30).

Oh my---Setting your mind on the things of man--- quite displeasing to the LORD Jesus:

---setting your mind on your own will

---setting your mind on the easiest way to Glory

---setting your mind on the Crown---without carrying the Cross

---setting your mind on the flesh---above the care for the Soul

---setting your mind on the World---with little or no concern for the Word

---setting your mind on advancing yourself

---setting your mind on Man’s approval

---setting your mind on money and things

---setting your mind on immorality

---setting your mind on time alone---little interest in Eternity

---setting your mind on “looking” spiritual (at least around some)

---setting your mind on the newest toy

---setting your mind on “running things”

---setting your mind on being served

---setting your mind on getting even

---setting your mind on thinking--- you are inherently better than everyone else…

---setting your mind on whatever happens to be the “buzz” right now

---setting your mind on what your favorite “influencer” says-- must be

If the Apostles found out anything in this exchange Peter had with Jesus, it was hopefully this: The things of God take priority over the things of man. God’s kingdom and God’s priorities really matter most. We will struggle with these till the LORD takes us home. But HE will continually support us most graciously---if we will humble ourselves and cry out to Him.

“Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth. For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life appears, then you also will appear with him in glory.” Colossians 3: 3, 4

“Our pride must have winter weather to rot it.” Samuel Rutherford

Forgive Us LORD when we fall. Renew a right spirit in us with the truth of your Holy Word. Lift us up with renewed devotion when we have acted foolishly. By faith, enable us to grow stronger in our Holy Faith---and not to question your precepts. Please use the Word---even this very day, to make us submissive to You in all things. In the Name of the Father, and the Son, and the Holy Spirit. Amen.

Have Thine own way, LORD! Have Thine own way!

Wounded and weary, help me, I pray!

Power, all power, surely is Thine!

Touch me and heal me, Savior divine!

Adelaide Addison Pollard (1862—1934)

Grace and Peace in Jesus Christ Our Risen LORD, Pastor Jason