Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!” Matt. 16:22
Dear Lord Jesus, everywhere I look in the Bible I see your kindness constantly at work, leading us to deeper repentance. You are so patient and forbearing with us, as you show just how much we need your grace. This interchange with the Apostle Peter is a classic example.
If an oxymoron is putting two words together that just don’t belong together—one which contradicts the other, like deafening silence, jumbo shrimp, planned spontaneity, or peace offensive—then the ultimate oxymoron is “Never, Lord!” Those two words just don’t belong together. First of all, I cannot imagine Peter’s audacity in “taking you aside to rebuke you”; and then, on top of that, to combine these two words in one sentence, “Never, Lord.”
Yet, like Peter, I do the very same thing, not as directly, but just as surely. For instance, when you tell me that my need of salvation is so great—that I’m so sinful and broken 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 pull you aside, rebuke you, and say, “Never, Lord! You haven’t done quite enough for me. The gospel is great but…”
When you assure me that your grace will be sufficient for me and that in my weakness your strength will be made perfect, and yet I persist in unbelief and start looking for sufficiency somewhere else, I look you in the eye and say, “Never, Lord! You don’t understand. I’m different. I wish it were so, but tour grace won’t be quite enough for me.”
When you call me to participate in your big story of redemption—of making all things new and gathering your bride from every nation, and yet I persist in living a little narrative of personal peace and affluence, instead of following you gladly and obediently, I’m saying to your face, “Never, Lord! Your glory is not as important as my happiness.”
Have mercy on me, Jesus. Not just on Peter, on me! “Yes!” … a thousand times “Yes!” to whatever you have planned and promised, and to life in your kingdom and growth in grace. Please Lord, take me aside and rebuke me with the gospel on a daily, even hourly basis. So very Amen I pray, in your most patient and awe-worthy name.
