Johan SlabbertPhoto: Marcus Woodbridge
Matthew 16:22-23 "And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, 'Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.' But he turned and said to Peter, 'Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'"
From Rock to Stumbling Block
Just moments after Peter’s bold confession that Jesus is the Christ, he faced a stunning rebuke. Peter, who had just been called “blessed” by Jesus, now hears the piercing words, “Get behind me, Satan!” He goes from being “the rock” on which Jesus would build his church to be a stumbling block in the space of a single conversation.
Jesus’ response is a wake-up call: the church is engaged in constant spiritual conflict. Even sincere believers, when they align their thoughts with human desires instead of God’s purposes, can become, unwittingly obstacles to God’s plan. Peter loved Jesus and could not bear the thought of his suffering. Yet, his rejection of the path of the cross put him directly in opposition to God’s mission.
The Real Threat
The most dangerous opposition the church faces often is not external but internal. When believers unwittingly promote ideas that diverge from God’s will, they end up on the wrong side of the spiritual battle. Anyone—no matter how devoted—can slide from being a “rock” of truth to being a stumbling block. Peter’s transformation reminds us that the church is called to vigilance, guarding against teachings or desires that subtly replace God’s purpose with human comfort or ambition.
Was Jesus Overreacting?
To some, Jesus’ reaction to Peter might seem harsh. After all, Peter only wanted to protect his beloved Master from suffering and death. However, Jesus understood that this well-intentioned desire was a temptation, echoing Satan’s earlier attempts to divert him from his mission. Satan had once offered Jesus a way to the kingdom without the cross, and now Peter in his ignorance, echoed that same temptation.
Jesus’ mission was to conquer sin and death through the cross—not through earthly power or political freedom.
This was a mission that the world, and even some within the church, struggled to accept. Jesus came not as a political saviour or a miracle worker on demand, but as the sacrificial Lamb, the Saviour who would bear the sins of humanity.
A Misunderstood Jesus
Many still resist the true mission of Jesus. Parts of the modern church embrace aspects of Jesus’ message, focusing on his miracles, teachings, or promises of power over darkness, while avoiding the challenging doctrines of the cross. Some lean into the idea of a victorious Jesus but balk at the notion of penal substitution—Jesus bearing the penalty of our sins. Others reimagine Jesus as a social reformer, a gentle teacher, or a mystical guide, thereby ignoring the essential message of his sacrificial death and resurrection.
Just as Peter expected a political liberator, some people today seek a Jesus in alignment with their personal or cultural preferences. This selective faith reduces Jesus to a character made in our image rather than the true Saviour who calls us to follow him on his terms.
The Danger of Redefining Jesus
When people create their own version of Jesus, they end up with a false Christ. A Jesus reimagined to suit personal preferences cannot offer true salvation. A “Jesus” who did not die for sins, who is not divine, or who simply embodies modern ideals lacks the power to redeem. Only the true Jesus—the suffering servant, the resurrected Lord—can save.
The Demands of Discipleship
Jesus’ rebuke of Peter reminds us that mere verbal confession is not enough. A superficial acknowledgment that “Jesus is the Christ, the Son of the living God” falls short if it ignores the full mission of Jesus and the cross. True discipleship calls for aligning our hearts and minds with God’s purposes, not human desires.
To be part of his church, Jesus calls for more than words—he calls for a commitment to his mission, a willingness to embrace his suffering and sacrifice.
Following Jesus means surrendering our own agendas and expectations and accepting the path he laid out: one of humility, self-denial, and trust in his victory through the cross and resurrection.
Following Jesus is not about selecting the parts of his message we find most comfortable. It is about surrendering to his full mission and recognising that he came to conquer sin and death for us.
As followers of Christ, we are called to set our minds on God’s purpose and stand firm in the truth of who Jesus is, no matter the cost.
Looking Ahead
As we continue exploring the true church of Jesus Christ, we will examine how Satan attempts to redefine the person and work of Jesus and how easily the Christian believer can be led astray.
Stay with us to understand more about the commitment needed by the Christian.
Call to Action
Are you following the real Jesus or a version of him shaped by your preferences?
In what way are you susceptible to being led astray to follow a different Jesus?
Write down your thoughts and insights.