“From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.””
(Matthew 16:21–23, ESV)
The audacity of Peter! As we see in the passage above, Jesus was explaining to his disciples what was to happen. He told them how he was to suffer, die, and rise again.
Knowing the gospel, we understand what Jesus was saying. We know exactly what he was talking about. We know that he was referring to his impending crucifixion and resurrection.
Hearing this, however, Peter challenged Jesus. He couldn’t fathom this happening to the Christ. And he declared that this would never happen to him.
As we read this, we are appalled. How could Peter do such a thing? How could he challenge Jesus? How could he deny what Jesus declared? Jesus, after all, is God.
But, in reality, we share his struggle. As we observe Lent and celebrate Good Friday, we have trouble with the truth that Jesus had to suffer. Certainly, we think, there could have been another way.
Why would God have to become flesh? Why would he have to suffer at the hands of men? Why would he have to die on the cross? How could God the Father allow such a thing to happen to his only Son? And why would this be THE way to provide forgiveness and salvation for his people?
Even knowing the events of Jesus’ passion, we wrestle with this. Even knowing the gospel, we wrestle with this. We go through the motions of Holy Week and Easter, all the while wondering, even doubting.
It’s for this reason that, rather than looking to Jesus in faith, we continue to look to ourselves for the salvation we so desperately need. We believe there must be a part that we play. We believe that there must be a way for us to provide satisfaction for our sins.
Jesus, however, had to suffer. He had to die upon the cross. And he had to rise again. Apart from this, we would be forever lost.
It was in this way that Jesus atoned for our sins. It’s in this way that he defeated the power of sin. And it’s in this way that he overcame death.
This is what Jesus declared to be true. This is what he declared to be necessary. And this is how he tells us that salvation is possible. We dare not question or deny it.
We, then, can simply rest in the work that he has done. We can rest in the salvation he provided. And it’s this that we remember and celebrate during Holy Week and Easter.
