“You are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” (Matt 16:23)
Picture yourself raising your hand. “Excuse me, Jesus? ‘The things of man versus the things of God.’ Could you elaborate a little more to help us understand the difference?” How might Jesus answer? We don’t really have to speculate if we spend a few moments with the context of Matthew 16:23.
From that time Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things from the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and on the third day be raised. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, saying, “Far be it from you, Lord! This shall never happen to you.” But he turned and said to Peter, “Get behind me, Satan! You are a hindrance to me. For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
Then Jesus told his disciples…
SELF. Is my mind set on gratifying myself or denying myself? “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself.”
THE CROSS. Is it someone else’s to be studied from afar or is there one with my name on it? “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross.”
JESUS. Is he a remarkable historical figure or my exalted Leader and Savior? “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”
LIFE. Whose is it and on what will I spend it? “For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.”
SOUL. With what value will I prioritize it? “For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?”
ACCOUNTABILITY. How seriously will I take it? “For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.”
The things of man versus the things of God.
When my mind is set on the things of man… Self is gratified. The cross is ancient history. Jesus is just another historical figure. My life is spent on me. My soul is easily neglected. Accountability is ignored. I’ll tend to spiritual things when I have a more convenient opportunity.
When my mind is set on the things of God… Self is denied. The cross is carried. Jesus is followed. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me. My citizenship is in heaven. The return of my King is the greatest desire and anticipation of my heart.
The things of man versus the things of God.
On which is my mind set?