It had to hurt, hearing Jesus say to him, "Get behind Me, Satan" (Matt. 16:23). Peter didn't mean to get it wrong. He was doing the noble thing, really. After all, if you had a friend who said he was going some place to die, wouldn’t you step up and tell that friend, "Not on my watch. I love too much to let you die. I'll do all I can do to keep you alive"?

Yet, Peter had it wrong and if he had had his way, there would be no cross, no redemption, no new life in Christ. It all would have been a tragic failure. So, he hears Jesus saying the jolting words, "Get behind Me, Satan."

Is it possible that our motives might be right but that our actions based upon "good" motives be wrong? Is it possible to love the Christ but misunderstand what it means to love Him? Can we follow a Savior who calls us into that mysterious world called "making hard choices?" Can our love for Him be so deeply a part of who we are that should he call us to what we perceive to be the unthinkable, we still follow Him determinedly?

The way of Jesus led Him to a cross. It had to be; at least it had to be if He was going to obey His Father. Today, the way of Jesus leads us to a cross. Jesus said to Peter and his band of friends, "If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me" (Matt. 16:24). It gets even more descriptive. Jesus says, "Whoever loses his life for My sake will find it…what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" (vs. 25).

Sounds like Peter and the disciples have some thinking and praying to do; maybe even some soul searching. Dare we join them? Can we bring our lives into the Christ so fully that everything else pales in comparison to following Him into the destiny He has for us?