Mark 8:27-33
27 Jesus went out, along with His disciples, to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way He questioned His disciples, saying to them, "Who do people say that I am?" 28 They told Him, saying, "John the Baptist; and others say Elijah; but others, one of the prophets." 29 And He continued by questioning them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered and said to Him, "You are the Christ." 30 And He warned them to tell no one about Him.
31 And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 33 But turning around and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God's interests, but man's."
This passage in Mark has some of the most interesting dialogue that Christ is recorded having with any disciple. The Disciple in question, of course, is Peter, and Jesus is taking the opportunity to find out what type of faith Peter really has. Almost like a Presidential candidate with his political staff, Jesus turns to the disciples and asks what the "polls" say. What do the common disciples really think about Him. Peter relates that facts that people are of different minds on the subject; but, Jesus then turns the conversation from a broad census into a personal test of faith.
"But, who do YOU say that I am?"
Peter's answer is immediate, "You are the Christ." Jesus, of course, tells him to keep this proclomation quiet.
After Peter's testament, it seems that his faith is no longer in question. Unbeknownst to him or the rest of the assembled disciples, though, the real faith test was to come immediately after.
Christ begins to tell the disciples about how Hes must suffer and die. Peter's response to this was personal anger. The Scripture does not record Peter questioning Jesus about this explanation, it does not record Peter sympathizing with Jesus' plight, it clearly states that Peter rebukes Jesus for what He has just stated. Peter corrects Jesus, because, He must have it all wrong! There is no way that He can be the Christ and have to suffer and die like He has just insisted He must.....Try again, Jesus, that story just won't work.
Jesus sees the disciples starting to mill about...they had obviously noticed the argument and were anxious to hear Jesus' response. Most of them probably felt as Peter did...there was simply no way He was going to die...NO way.
Christ takes the opportunity to teach the disciples in a very strong way...a forcible response that they would never forget.
"Get behind me, Satan!"
Said to Peter, the most loyal of the disciples who had just stated hi belief in Jesus' Divinity...this rebuke was as strong as any He could have made. Peter was speaking on behalf of the Enemy; he was alowing selfishness to cloud the will of God.
As the disciples (most of all, Peter) were recovering from this shock, Jesus imparts the greatest lesson of His ministry:
34 And He summoned the crowd with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. 35 "For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it. 36 "For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 "For what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 38 "For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Peter's whole notion of what a Christian is rocked to its foundation. In the next chapter of Mark, the narrative turns to Peter beholding the Transfiguration of Christ, alongside Moses and Elijah. It's clear that Peter still doesn't really get it (he asks if they should build tents/homes for all three of them on that spot, even though Jesus has explained where His road must take Him).
A lot of us have trouble getting it as well. Christianity is not about saying the right thing or making the story sound appealing. Christianity is about picking up our weaknesses, our hurt, our imperfections, and following Christ as best as we can. We love people we don't like, we minister to people who don't like us.
The true test of faith is not that we acknowledge Jesus with our mouths; but, instead, with our feet. Walking the path to
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