THE REBUKE OF PETER

Matt. 16:21-23, “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.” 

I. THE REVELATION

HE MUST GO TO JERUSALEM The place of execution. “From that time forth began Jesus to shew unto his disciples, how that he must go unto Jerusalem.”

MUST SUFFER FROM THE RELIGIOUS AUTHORITIES The reason for His execution. “… and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes.”

The Mode of Execution and be killed. It was not going to be an accidental death or natural. Jesus was going to be murdered.

The Resurrection “… and be raised again the third day.”

II. THE REBUKE

THE PERSON Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him.” Peter forgot his place.

Peter was usually the one to speak up Peter was usually the one to speak up. When something did not need to be said, Peter was usually the first to speak up. He was not only the first to SPEAK UP, he was also the first to ACT UP.

Two words come to mind about Peter: (1) Impulsive, (2) impetuous (moved by unthinking action). He comes to Jesus on the water (Matt. 14). He stands up and presents the dilemma of appointing another apostle (Acts 1). He proposes to build tabernacles for the Lord and the two prophets (Matt. 17).

THE PROCLAMATION “Be it far from thee, Lord: this shall not be unto thee.”

III. THE REACTION

“But he turned.” IMMEDIATE RESPONSE

THREE NEGATIVE ORATIONS Get thee behind me, Satan thou art an offence unto me thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men

(1) First negative response: “Get Behind Me Satan” The word Satan means Adversary. A good man may by a surprise of temptation soon grow very unlike himself. He answered him as he did Satan himself (Matt. 4:10). It is the subtlety of Satan, to send temptations to us by the unsuspected hands of our best and dearest friends. Thus he assaulted Adam by Eve, Job by his wife, and here Christ by his beloved Peter.

2) Second Negative Response: “Thou art an offence unto me.” How quickly a man can be blessed and then lose that blessing by offending!

Matt. 18:7, “Woe unto the world because of offences Matt. 18:7, “Woe unto the world because of offences! for it must needs be that offences come; but woe to that man by whom the offence cometh!” Rom. 5:18, “Therefore as by the offence of one judgment came upon all men to condemnation; even so by the righteousness of one the free gift came upon all men unto justification of life.”

Peter had become a stumbling block to Christ Peter had become a stumbling block to Christ. Obstacles are often erected by those closest to us.

1 Cor. 8:9, “But take heed lest by any means this liberty of yours become a stumblingblock to them that are weak.”

“for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men.”  3) Third Negative Response: “You do not savour the things that be of God.”

That is, you do not relish, or, you do not understand or discern the things of God – you are wholly taken up with the vain thought that my kingdom is of this world.

IV. WHAT DO WE LEARN?

1) The Lord’s Rebuke Hurts It was not easy for Peter to hear this stern rebuke. He had just blessed him, and now he condemns his statement. 1) The Lord’s Rebuke Hurts

Prov. 9:8, “Reprove not a scorner, lest he hate thee: rebuke a wise man, and he will love thee.” Prov. 13:1, “A wise son heareth his father's instruction: but a scorner heareth not rebuke.”

2. The Lord’s Rebuke Helps The Lord did not make this proclamation to drive Peter from the flock, but to make him understand the contrast between being blessed for declaring Jesus as the Christ, and then being influenced by Satan to tempt Him.

3) The Lord’s Rebuke Heals John 16:4, “But these things have I told you, that when the time shall come, ye may remember that I told you of them. And these things I said not unto you at the beginning, because I was with you.” The apostles would remember every rebuke and praise given by Christ while He walked among them.

HOW DO YOU REACT? 1) When truth convicts you? 2) When you know you are breaking the Lord’s heart? 3) When a brother or sister seeks to put you on the right path? HOW DO YOU REACT?