Contents
Introduction
In the Gospel of last Sunday (Matt 16:13–20), Jesus’ identity (as the anointed One of God – Christos) was revealed and clarified. In this week’s Gospel, Jesus unveils the significance and content of being God’s anointed. It is not a post of honour, glory, exaltation, power, or material acquisition. It is a position of service and service alone. This is a vital point on which every religious/Christian leader should reflect. Today, it is very clear that almost 80%–85% of religious/Christian leaders are confused and do not even know what their role is. Nigeria and most West African countries are typical examples. For them, their position as Christian religious leaders is a way of power acquisition, material enrichment, recognition, honour, and vainglory. The only distinction between such religious leaders and politicians is the strategy for their consistent corruption and insensibility to the feelings of the people they are supposed to serve. Both politicians and these religious/Christian leaders have carefully studied strategies to entice the poor and sometimes, greedy masses. Therefore, in as much as all must reflect on this Gospel passage, it is especially meant to be a serious monitor for Christian leaders.
Identifying my Satanas
Jesus turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me” (Matt 16:23). Immediately after this, in verse 24, Jesus reminded the disciples that whoever wants to come after him must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow him. In Matthew 4:19, Jesus called Simon Peter and his brother Andrew to follow him. Now, he orders him to get behind him. This is strange! When Jesus called Peter, he used the expression deute opisō mou (Matt 4:19). But in Matthew 16:23, Jesus said to the same Peter, upage opisō mou. While deute opisō mou means ‘come after me’, that is, ‘follow me’, upage opisō mou means ‘go behind me’, that is, ‘go away’ (cf. also Matt 4:10). The same Peter that was recruited as a disciple and who was made fisher of men, is now asked to get behind because he has become a scandal and an obstacle.
Conclusion
Dear reader, being a child of God, a believer, or a disciple of Jesus is a special privilege for which we must be grateful. However, as one song puts it, “it is not always an easy road…” And such a cross is sometimes very heavy and painful. This is because the world and especially, the Church are always full of ‘Peters’ who induce true disciples to change their identity. The selfish, greedy, godless, and corrupt elders, bishops, priests, and teachers of the law of the various Christian Churches, who have lost their own identity, are always ready to oppress and suppress true disciples because they have sworn never to be like them and, never to follow their evil and selfish way. They are all obstacles (Satanas) blocking the disciples’ way to success, true freedom, and salvation. Like Jesus, you must be ready to identify them and order them to get behind you. Do not forget that you can also be an obstacle to the proclamation of the Gospel. Avoid the temptation!
FOR DETAILS, GET YOUR OWN COPIES OF THE BOOK “THE WORD OF LIFE:
SUNDAY REFLECTIONS” (vols. I‑II-III)!! The reflection for the 22nd Sunday of the year (A) is found in The Word of Life, vol. I, pages 422–430. Happy reading!
For details on how to get it, contact the author on this link: https://m.me/uchennabiblia?fbclid=IwAR2yeg4a6sDGBp9QGkIvKj6FSADumMokN6lshdE0zuo-JHs6qOmlhA7jyHo
or email me at: postmaster@uchennabiblia.com
or simply send an SMS on 08116100926, and I will get back to you.
