Peter’s (and the disciples’) view of the Messiah was too limited.
The Kingdom of God is here now but is also yet to come.
Jesus taught the disciples “on the way.”
Rebuke comes as a challenge to understand and leads to repentance.
We see what we are trained to see more than what is there.
Social justice is important to the heart of God, and He wants the best for us, but there is more to being a disciple than that.
Getting Jesus’ title correct is only the first step of being a disciple. Disciples are called to deny self, take up their execution stake, and follow Christ.
When we deny ourselves, we say “no” to the “I” that would enslave us, and we say “yes” to God, and He leads us to life.
To take up our cross and follow Christ means to suffer and die. It’s the difference between a disciple and an admirer of Christ.
Jesus doesn’t need new PR or good marketing. He needs disciples who are dying to self and living the cross.
“There are many that follow Jesus as far as the breaking of bread, few as far as drinking the cup of suffering…” – Thomas à Kempis in The Imitation of Christ
