2026 Pentecost Devotions II
Friday, August 28
Matthew 16:21-23
21 From that time on, [after Peter confessed that Jesus was the Messiah,] Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and undergo great suffering at the hands of the elders and chief priests and scribes and be killed and on the third day be raised. 22 And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” 23 But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me, for you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
“… “God forbid it, Lord! This must never happen to you.” …”
The story of Peter’s response to Jesus’ revelation that he is going to suffer, die, and rise again is typical – not just for Peter, but for us also. After all, when we hear of something happening that seems to go against God’s loving intent for us and for others, we often respond as Peter did. “God forbid! That can’t happen!”
A loved one is sick, goes to the doctor, has tests, and comes back with an unexpected terminal diagnosis. “God forbid! That can’t be real!”
It rains for days on end, the flood waters rise, and a family we know is swept away. “God forbid! That can’t have happened!”
A call comes one morning from good friends and neighbors across the street – folks that you just had over for supper the night before – that the wife has died overnight in her sleep. “God forbid! That can’t be happening!”
Because we know and recognize God to be loving and caring, when tragedy happens, when sudden disaster strikes, when the news is all bad, we cry out in our confusion and pain, “God forbid. That can’t be the actions of our Loving Lord. How can God let this happen?”
Like Peter, we sometimes just don’t understand; and, like Peter, all we can do is trust in the one who suffered, died, and rose again, in whose loving embrace we always abide.
Prayer: Thank you, Lord Jesus, for Your loving arms that hold us when things in our lives seem to go south. Remind me of Your love, Your care, and Your presence. Teach me to trust in You alone. Amen.