Peter demonstrates the nearly universal human aversion to pain and struggle—and seemingly even discussion of them. Jesus tells the disciples “quite openly” that he must suffer and die. Peter doesn’t want to hear it; he doesn’t want his friend to go through these harsh experiences. Who would desire that for anyone they love? But Jesus challenges Peter’s statement.
Jesus calls Peter “Satan”—a blistering charge to level at a friend. Then he says that Peter is thinking about the wrong things. Jesus points out that part of our discipleship involves attending to our thoughts. Scripture often mentions this idea, from Psalms and Proverbs to the New Testament. For example, Colossians urges believers to “set [their] minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth” (3:1), and Paul admonishes the Corinthians to identify every thought that exalts itself against the knowledge of Christ and to take thoughts “captive to obey Christ” (2 Cor. 10:5).
Paying attention to our thoughts takes us deeper than actions, to attitudes and motives. I can easily identify recent thoughts that I know are contrary to what Christ wants for us. Can you? Daydreaming about a bigger house, a fancy car, a more powerful job, great acclaim—all can lure us away from the downward way of servanthood. And we can fall into patterns of looking at people around us negatively and judgmentally rather than honoring each of them as a dearly loved child of God for whom Christ died.
The call to monitor our thoughts is a call to discomfort and to self-control. What might Christ say about where you have centered your thoughts today?