Peter thought he was protecting Jesus, his friend and his Rabbi. He had no idea that his good intentions would play into the hands of the enemy and thwart the plans of eternity.

We often have good intentions as we try to make something happen. It seems reasonable – even good from our perspective.

Yet God sees and knows infinitely more than we do.

And his ways are not our ways.

If Peter’s plan had succeeded, he would have rescued Jesus from a moment of pain but created a lifetime of loss for everyone else.

As you listen to this week’s meditation, I’m praying you find a little God perspective to help you endure whatever you are facing.

This is our third Lent meditation. You can find out more about Lent, where it originated, and how Christians traditionally practice it through my free Lent Guide here.

Here are some additional links to help you learn more about me and to help you create space for God in your life:

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Instagram @creatingspaceforgod

Facebook @JodieGNiznik

Learn more about Lectio Divina and download your free Lectio Divina Journal here.

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Download free sample chapters from my Bible studies here.

The passage meditated on in this episode is:

Matthew 16:21–26, NLT

From then on Jesus began to tell his disciples plainly that it was necessary for him to go to Jerusalem, and that he would suffer many terrible things at the hands of the elders, the leading priests, and the teachers of religious law. He would be killed, but on the third day he would be raised from the dead.

22 But Peter took him aside and began to reprimand him for saying such things. “Heaven forbid, Lord,” he said. “This will never happen to you!”

23 Jesus turned to Peter and said, “Get away from me, Satan! You are a dangerous trap to me. You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.”

24 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me. 25 If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake, you will save it. 26 And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? Is anything worth more than your soul?

 

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