"Dear Peter: Get Behind Me, Satan"

So a couple of Sundays ago we had some time at the end of the message for people to text in or ask questions, and one of the questions was (more or less), "Why was Peter so singled out by Jesus in verse 23 (when Jesus says to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan!")?" I had a short answer that I was able to give, but I also requested a bit more time to research the matter. Here's what I came up with.  

Most commentators point out the link between what Jesus commands Peter to do here and what he commands Satan to do at the end of his temptation in the wilderness in Matthew 4. In the wilderness, Satan tempts Jesus with the offer of supernatural power, incredible domination over nations, and never ending satisfaction, and Jesus responds to those temptations by telling Satan in verse 10, "Be gone, Satan! For it is written, 'You shall worship the Lord your God and him only shall you serve.'" 

Jesus, by referencing what happens to him in the wilderness, connects Peter's rebuke of Jesus with Satan's temptation of him. The chance to walk away from the cross and the temptation to accept the offers of Satan are tied together, and so his response to both is strikingly similar. 

Yet this doesn't explain why Jesus calls Peter Satan. He could have said something like, "Be careful, Peter! Satan is tempting me through you!" Why didn't he put it like that? 

After my research, I'm still not sure, but I can say a couple of things. First, by focusing on Peter, Jesus says a lot to all of us. Remember that just verses before 16:23 Jesus gives Peter his name, The Rock, promising that upon him and his confession would he build his invincible church. So if he can follow that with the sternest of rebukes, we get a great warning to not let ourselves become conceited. Even though Jesus will not let the Gates of Hades prevail against the church, that doesn't mean the church can never be wrong! We must be supremely humble, always seeking to be steered by Jesus, always ready to be corrected by him. We must not, as Peter did, try and steer God in the way that we think is best. 

Also, it's important to note that Peter is one of the disciples that Jesus is closest with, even after this incident. We need to remember that a harsh rebuke is not the sign of a lack of love. After this moment, Jesus continues to call upon Peter, he continues to build his church upon him. Our failures never keep Jesus from being able to build what he wants to build, and they never push him away from us. Jesus did not choose us because we were lovable. He loves us because he chose us, and failures don't deter him from making that choice.  

Finally, although it is difficult to know exactly why he calls Peter Satan directly, it is not a necessary component to following Jesus. Sometimes we think we need all of the answers before we can do something. But the truth is some things we need to learn along the way/on the job. Jesus calls us to follow him first, not wait until we read the whole manual. In fact it is in following him that many things become clear. Yes, it is a good thing to research and go deeper with a confusing passage. But do not wait until you have completely understood it before you go out and follow Christ. Follow him first. He's shown you enough, you understand enough to begin the journey.