Matthew 16:21-28: Peter denied Jesus’ death and suffering because it went against his entire experience and upbringing. Peter was raised in a Jewish tradition in which God was unassailable and untouchable. God’s Messiah must be like the God of which Peter had been instructed his whole life. God and His Messiah must conquer the world and bring submission to the enemies of His people.
For Peter it wasn’t just that God seemed to have never done these things before; that God had never become meek and a servant, but that God COULDN’T do these things. That just isn’t who YHWH is. In this moment Peter is not just a bumbling disciple. In this moment Peter was dictating to God what God could and could not be capable of.
What is God capable of? Have you decided? Do you dictate it to Him daily?
What is hopeless?
What is unachievable?
What is lost and forsaken?
The beautiful thing is that Peter was wrong. Only God gets to decide where the limits are set. And in this moment we see along with Peter that the love and the grace of Jesus will endure great pain and heartache to bring those who follow Him home. Jesus is not limited by doubts, pains, roles, or resources. He is both meek and conqueror. He is king and servant. He is exalted and yet closer to us than our heart beat. He gave His life to show us that every broken thing has the capability to be made right in His hands.
