It's hard, mostly impossible, to see the world the way God does. Caught up in our own lives, we see the world mostly from our own narrow points of view.
Perhaps in these next few moments, however, you can get a glimpse of what the Creator sees, and hear the message that God has for all the world to understand.
Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Mark 8:31-33
Jesus was teaching a hard truth. Peter loved Jesus, but he didn’t want to hear Jesus talk about his suffering and death. Jesus saw Peter’s rebuke as a distraction.
When I had a family member dying of cancer, I would talk with friends about the future. Those who were uncomfortable would dismiss me and encourage me to think positive thoughts. But I needed to deal with reality!
Jesus was preparing himself and his disciples for the reality of his death. It wasn’t easy to talk about and it wasn’t easy to hear, but it was an important conversation that needed to happen.
Bonnie Cassida
God of the unknown, help me to listen to the hard stuff. Give me courage to listen to those who suffer. Give me courage to speak the truth, even when it is difficult. Amen.
Go now with the assurance
That God has you in mind;
God values you and
Knows your potential.
Live this day knowing
That God has something for you;
God is making a difference
Through you.