Reading Matthew 16:21-23 (NIV)
"From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.
Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. "Never, Lord!" he said. "This shall never happen to you!"
Jesus turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
There has been a lot of evil acts committed these past few weeks. And because of that, there is a lot of anger, fear and outrage at this "enemy". I see a lot of this in the news and social media.
I understand that, but I have to wonder. Who is the real enemy here?
It may be hard for us to grasp, but Jesus died for everyone, even the people doing these terrible things.
When Jesus was confronted, he saw right through to the real enemy. In fact, he seemed to ignore that Peter was even in the room, or that the words had been formed by Peter's lips.
"Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns."
Satan is the real enemy of humanity. People may go along with his works, but he is the real enemy. Anyone can become a child of God by repentance. Satan, however, is beyond redemption, and he knows it.
But I don't see any Facebook postings against him.
Of course, that's because his favorite trick is to pretend he doesn't exist.
Let's never forget the instructions of our Lord during these times.
"You have heard that it was said, 'Love your neighbor and hate your enemy.' But I tell you, love your enemies and pray for those who persecute you, that you may be children of your Father in heaven. He causes his sun to rise on the evil and the good, and sends rain on the righteous and the unrighteous. If you love those who love you, what reward will you get? Are not even the tax collectors doing that? And if you greet only your own people, what are you doing more than others? Do not even pagans do that? Be perfect, therefore, as your heavenly Father is perfect." Matthew 5:43-48 (NIV)
