Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you.” Matthew 16:22
Dear Lord Jesus, if an oxymoron is bringing together incongruous or contradictory terms, like deafening silence… or jumbo shrimp… or planned spontaneity… or peace offensive, then the ultimate oxymoron is “Never, Lord!”. Those two words could not be more incongruous or contradictory of one another. However, the more I read and meditate on this encounter between you and Peter, the less I stand in judgment of your precipitous presumptuous disciple, and the more I wonder how I’m a whole lot like him.
Jesus, in what ways do I wittingly or unwittingly “take you aside to rebuke you,” and contradict what you have spoken or promised?
When you tell me that my need of salvation is so great—that I am so broken… so sinful… so diseased… so rebellious that only the gospel of God’s grace can save someone like me… and yet I persist in trying to merit the righteousness of God, or at least “supplement” what you’ve done for me on the cross… I am saying to your face, “Never, Lord! You haven’t done quite enough for me.”
When you tell me that your grace will be sufficient for me—that in my weakness your strength will be made perfect, and yet I persist in unbelief… or complaining… or fear, and start looking for some sufficiency in me, or try to find some other way of micromanaging the chaos and challenge… I am saying to your face, “Never, Lord! Your grace won’t be quite enough for me.”
When you tell me that you are presently making all things new—that one Day the first heaven and earth will become the new heaven and new earth—the habitation of your pan-national Bride, and yet I persist in writing and living little narratives of personal peace and fulfillment, instead of finding my place in your story of redemption and cosmic restoration… I am saying to your face, “Never, Lord! Your glory is not as important as my happiness.” Have mercy on me, Jesus… not on Peter, on me…
Lord Jesus, “Yes!”… a thousand times “Yes!” to whatever you have said, promised and are up to… in my life and in your world. Please take me aside and rebuke me with the gospel on a daily, even momentary basis. So very Amen, I pray in your most wonderful and awe-worthy name.