Behind Jesus

February 18, 2020

All three synoptic gospels (Matthew, Mark, and Luke) record the story of Jesus asking his disciples what they are hearing people say about him before asking their own opinion. All three have Peter making that great declaration that Jesus is “the Christ [the Son] of God,” after which Jesus reveals what that means. Contrary to popular understanding, Jesus didn’t come to usher in a powerful political rule. Instead, he speaks of his coming suffering and death by crucifixion. Interestingly, only Matthew and Mark record Peter’s protest to his revelation. Matthew tells us Peter’s words: “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall not happen to you!” Mark says merely that Peter objected to this revelation. Both gospels give us Jesus’ response to Peter’s objection: “Get behind me, Satan!” Luke however, is silent about Peter’s objection and Jesus’ response.

Luke has these very same words, but instead of finding them in the story of Peter’s confession and subsequent reluctance to embrace the Cross, they are found in Luke’s Temptation narrative. The devil takes Jesus up on a high mountain, shows him the kingdoms of the world, and tells him “all this can be yours if you bow down and worship me.” 

“Get behind me, Satan!” is Jesus’ thunderous response—Luke alone has these very same words with which he rebukes Peter in the other two synoptic gospels. Two different scenarios, but identical responses. Why? 

In the Temptation account, the devil is trying to get Jesus to bypass the Cross. In the Confession narrative, Peter suggests the very same path. Jesus’ visceral response is worth noting. Most of the time, he is patient with his disciples, even when he bemoans their slowness to believe. He often got worked up when dealing with the religious leaders, but with his disciples, he is other than here, almost lethargic in his reactions. The Cross however, is at the heart of his mission. Avoiding it was the one thing he could not do; it would completely torpedo the purpose of the Incarnation. “Satan” literally means “adversary.” Anyone who tries to avoid the cross abdicates any semblance of faithfulness or even neutrality to Christ. Such a person becomes and enemy of the Gospel. Jesus came to die for the sins of mankind. No Cross, no salvation; we remain in the death-grip of our sin and guilt.

Immediately following his rebuke of Peter, Jesus reveals the implications of all this: if we are to follow him, we too, must pick up a cross. Contrary to much popular contemporary preaching, following Christ is not a divine GPS to prosperity. If to secure our salvation Jesus couldn’t avoid a cross, neither can we avoid a cross to experience salvation. The Cross is central to the mission and message of the Gospel, for Jesus, and for us. This truth is not easy to hear, but it is worthy of our praise and thanksgiving. The old hymn by Isaac Watts puts it well: 

Am I a soldier of the Cross

A follower of the Lamb

And shall I fear to own his cause

Or blush to speak his name?

Must I be carried to the skies

On flowery beds of ease

While others fought to win the prize

And sailed through bloody seas?