Expectations are a tricky
thing -- especially when you've been expecting something in a certain way for a
long time. The Jewish perspective and expectations of the mashiach (the Messiah) were no different.
When Jesus plainly tells
his disciples that he will suffer, be rejected, killed and then resurrected, is
it any wonder the one who had his eyes
opened to the truth would be the first to confront Jesus? "You're
wrong!!!" It doesn't match up with what anyone has been taught. For
centuries. And for the Messiah to die on a cross (a death of humiliation) is
inconceivable!
With all the precursor of "Messiahship"
and what was expected -- a political-military deliverer to rid Israel of the
yoke of Rome, Jesus' shared prediction that he would be a different type of King
(the unexpected kind) references back to ISAIAH 53.
These verses bring about frightening, cringe-worthy images:
* "Despised and
rejected by others"
* "Man of suffering
and acquainted with infirmity"
* "We accounted him stricken,
struck down by God"
* "Oppressed,…
afflicted"
* "Like a lamb that
is led to the slaughter"
* "By a perversion of
justice he was taken away"
Jesus' use of
"must" two times -- must suffer and be rejected, must
be killed -- with a substitute of "it is necessary" "offers no
detailed theology of suffering, [though it] is a concise reference to
collection of Old Testament texts cited to show that Jesus' suffering was
willed by God." [i]
It makes one shudder. As
Joe * stated upon his reflection of Peter's rebuke of Jesus, "Not only is
this about Christ (a Messiah who will die which makes no sense), it's about
them. What's going to happen to them if this prediction is going to happen to
him?"
Bev * added, "They've
invested a lot of time in Jesus. Years of time. They want results. And this is
definitely not the result they want."
Peter's fear and
heightened emotion has probably also run rampant through the other disciples.
The fervor is at a high pitch; hence, Jesus' reply -- specifically at Peter but
including all of them:
"Get behind me,
Satan! You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human
concerns." [ii]
Why does Jesus use the
word "Satan"? Is Peter being called Satan? Or is Jesus stating that through
Peter (as a mouthpiece and a good, trusted friend) comes an adverse plea /
appeal that can't be followed? Is this use of "Satan" a reference to
a prior temptation that Jesus avoided -- MATTHEW 4:8-10?
As mentioned previously,
"Satan" means "adversary." In this moment of expectations,
Peter's human, instinctual concerns are diametrically opposed to God's
concerns. He knows not of what he speaks. While Peter is not the
devil-incarnate, he has crossed a line in front of the entire group that could cause
everything to go into a tailspin -- everything that Jesus has done with the
disciples (preparing them for ministry). Thus, the harsh rebuke.
Looking at this in a
slightly different way… How much easier is it to play life safe? To avoid that
to which you've been truly called? To take the seemingly smooth path that has
no challenges or difficulties along the journey?
Who really wants to
suffer? To go through rejection? To see anyone go through these things? And to
the extreme, to put one's life (even our own) on the line which could mean
death?
Best intentions are one
thing, but when the appeal of avoidance comes from loved ones (those you trust),
it only adds to the difficulty in doing what is "right." In that
appeal, who is "right"? What happens when the expectations of loved
ones don't match with those of God? At that point, to whom do you listen? Follow
the advice, the wisdom, the guidance, the expectations of friends or family? Or
follow the call, the expectations of God?
To live for yourself? To
ultimately live for others? To live for God?
In the Jan/Feb 2012 issue
of RELEVANT Magazine, there was an excellent article --
"Water Works" -- by Roxanne Wieman which focused on Scott Harrison
who chose a completely different life path than he had traveled before. One of
his quotes fits well with this blog post -- "I hadn't lost my faith, I
just hadn't obeyed for 10 years. I hadn't become an atheist, I just didn't want
to do what God was calling me to do."
A recent article about
Scott on the online publication of WIRED was written. I've included the link
for your reading inspiration -- "Charity Startup". Scott decided, as crazy as it may seem, he had to do what God was calling him to do.
When Jesus told the
disciples to not tell anyone about him being the Messiah, he was extremely
wise. Look at the reaction of his trusted companions once he predicts his own
death. They have much to learn.
So when it comes around to
it… Do you have in mind the concerns of others? Do you have in mind the
concerns of God?
Tough questions. Even
tougher to follow the true call.
NEXT
Lose what to gain what;
could someone please give a guarantee
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