We don’t like to get behind, whether it’s keeping up with a to-do list, school assignments or bill payments. I look at my e-mail in-box sometimes and see two or three messages that have gone for weeks without a reply or any action on my part. It’s uncomfortable to be behind on things which truly matter. Yet this week’s Gospel text, Mark 8:27-38, suggests that getting behind may not always be a bad thing.
It’s a familiar bit of biblical irony that immediately after his deeply perceptive confession of Jesus as the Messiah in verse 29, Peter bungles it all by rebuking His Master for talking about suffering and dying. In verse 33, Jesus’ own rebuke of Peter seems pretty harsh, “Get behind me, Satan!” From loyal, insightful disciple to devil incarnate in just four verses.
However, the overall pericope for the day allows a slightly softer interpretation of what Jesus said to Peter. After telling him to get behind Him, Jesus’ larger message to both the crowd and His disciples is a call to follow Him even to the point of death. In other words, the place to be is just where He told Peter to get, right behind Him, following.
In verse 38, Jesus spoke directly to Peter’s motivation, warning against being ashamed of Him. Like the teenage child who previously idolized a parent, Peter grew embarrassed of Jesus as he discovered more of who He really is, a Messiah willing to accept rejection and suffering. But unlike parents, who do in fact have many faults which may cause their children embarrassment, Jesus only embarrasses us with our own lack of devotion and commitment. We are reluctant to follow and embarrassed because Jesus makes us painfully aware of our own self-protective and selfish natures.
So maybe it’s time to quit thinking so much about getting ahead and be more willing to get behind, behind Jesus as He leads us into the losing sort of life which is the only way to save our lives.