Get Behind Me, Satan

Passage: Mark 8:27-33

At a certain point in his ministry, Jesus asks his disciples, “Who do people say I am.” They give various responses: “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 

Then Jesus asks, “But who do you say I am?”

Peter alone responds, “You are the Christ (Messiah), the Son of God!”

The very next thing Jesus tells them is that he is going to be arrested, abused by the religious authorities, and killed. Peter, outraged, takes Jesus aside and tells him to stop talking such nonsense. Jesus looks Peter in the eye and says, “Get behind me, Satan!”

What has Peter done to deserve such a dressing-down?

The name “Satan” means adversary. Throughout the Bible the term is used as a proper name for the fallen angel who is God’s arch-enemy. But it’s also used for anyone who opposes God’s way. God’s plan of redemption for all humanity hinges on Jesus’ arrest; torture; death and resurrection. It has to happen. But who can blame Peter for wanting to prevent it?

Jesus, apparently. Why? Because Peter has allowed what Peter wants to get in the way of what God wants. It turns out everyone – even the disciple closest to Jesus – has the potential to be a satan – an adversary of God. All it takes is placing what we want ahead of what the Lord wants. How does one guard against becoming a unwitting adversary? Know Jesus well enough to know what he wants. Know yourself well enough to know what you want. And love the Lord enough to sacrifice what you want for what he wants. 

Leaven

Passage: Mark 8:14-21

Jesus comes to bring heaven to earth. Jesus constantly trains his disciples to look for and perceive the stuff of heaven. He invites them to live life on a higher plain. They keep crashing back to earth.

At a certain point Jesus says, “Beware of the leaven of the Pharisees and the leaven of Herod.” Jesus uses food and drink as metaphors for the guiding philosophies and, by extension, the sources of life his disciples place at the center of their lives. The Pharisees use God’s word and authority as a means of gaining power, influence, and security. Their “leaven” is the promise that, if you ascribe to their brand of religion, everything will be okay. But if you consume their leaven, you unwittingly feed their power. Herod’s power resides in economic and military strength. He promises security if you devote yourself to his regime. Jesus warns his disciples against “consuming” belief systems that offer false sources of sustenance and inadequate grounds for hope. Both the Pharisees and Herod depend on their constituents’ preoccupation with the needs of the body. They pray on people’s fear of “not enough” food or protection to fuel their own power.

The disciples are, in this moment, so preoccupied with the fact they didn’t pack a lunch that they miss Jesus’ meaning entirely. Which is ironic because Jesus, the day before, caused lunch to materialize for 5,000 people. Lunch is not a worry for Jesus. The disciples think Jesus is talking about “leaven” as a way of chiding them for not thinking enough about food. In fact Jesus is doing just the opposite. He’s saying, “If you live your life preoccupied with provision and protection, you will sell yourself to the wrong people and feed the wrong power.” Jesus persistently invites his disciples to “set their minds on things above.” And Jesus sets them free to do so by promising that, if they “seek first God’s Kingdom”, all their earthly needs will be met.

How much Jesus disciples – in every time and place – have in common. How quick we are to consume the leaven of political voices that say, “Enough gold and enough guns will keep you safe.” How quick we are to consume the leaven of a brand of religion that says, “If you’re good enough, God will give you everything you want.” We’re still thinking about lunch. Still preoccupied with provision and protection and still subject to whatever person or power seems most likely to deliver it. Jesus says to us, “Beware the leaven of that political party; of this religious movement; of that cultural trend.” Look for the leaven of life; be nourished by the bread of heaven. Seek first his Kingdom and his righteousness. He’ll take care of the rest.