photo #3271958

Keep the Cross at the ForefrontMatt. 16: 21 "From that time forth began Jesus to show unto his disciples, how that he must go to Jerusalem, and suffer many things of the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and be raised again.the third day 22 Then Peter took him, and began to rebuke him, saying, "Be it far from thee, Lord; this shall not be unto thee," 23 But He turned and said unto Peter, "Get thee behind me, Satan thou are an offense unto me; for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men." Jesus had just given the disciples assurance that the church He was establishing with them as the pillars, would be victorious and nothing would defeat it. He described how this would be accomplished: His death, burial, and resurrection. Peter speaks against this as if he would be the chief bodyguard of the disciples for Him. But Jesus rebuked him for thinking like a man and not accepting God's plan.Peter met well and wanted to protect the Lord the best way He could, but He failed to realize our ways are not God's ways.In our witnessing and church ministry, we must keep bringing people to the cross despite all the well-intentioned people's views who will to get us off the track of lost souls. Only through the cross will people ever be saved.Many in contemporary churches want to feel good about themselves, cope with everyday problems, and have a good outlook. That, however, will get no one to heaven outside of them, seeing the difference in our lives.Jesus said Satan had caused Peter's reaction, and despite how well-meaning people are, Satan will use good things to get us off track if he gets evil to do it.In heaven, we will praise God for His redemption on the cross and for redeeming us by His blood, so why should we ignore it or minimize it today? Eternity will reveal how many we have brought to cross, not how many people we get to feel good about ourselves. Think about and let's make a priority what God makes a priority and Jesus came to the earth to do.