At Caesarea Philippi, Peter declares Jesus as the Christ, Jesus immediately tells his followers that he is going to suffer and die, then Peter takes Jesus aside and rebukes him. He tells the One he just proclaimed as the Christ that he is not going to die, that they’re going to change the world in other ways. It seems confusing, doesn’t it? Peter tells Jesus he is the Christ and then in the very next breath tells him that he’s not the one making the decisions.

In essence, Peter is telling Jesus, you are the Christ as long as it’s comfortable. As long as you don’t push me outside my comfort zone, as long as you don’t challenge me, as long as whatever you’re calling me to doesn’t stretch me or hurt me, we’re good. You are the Lord.

Jesus says, “I want you to give more.”
Give more? If I do that, I’m going to have to cut back on something!

Jesus says, “I need you to lead a small group.”
In my house?! I’ll be vacuuming every Sunday afternoon! When will I take my nap?!

Jesus says, “I’d like you to volunteer with the children’s ministry.”
Teach the little kids?! Hey, I did my time there! That’s somebody else’s job!

Churches do things like this, too. Some churches make the comfort of their members too big of a priority. In some churches, all anybody has to say is “I’m uncomfortable with that,” –whatever it is– “That makes me uncomfortable,” and the elders rush in and shut whatever it is down. That’s why we put big crosses in our Worship Centers, to remind Christians, and their elders and ministers, that the divine call to follow Christ has absolutely nothing to do with being comfortable!

Peter says Jesus is the Christ as long as he’s comfortable. Is your confession confusing like that?

Peace,

Allan