October 12

"Thou mindest not the things of God, but the things of men." Matthew 16:23

Jesus had scarcely told his disciples of his approaching rendezvous with the cross than Peter burst in, out of his intense love for him, with the cry, "Lord, pity yourself." The Lord's answer could only be a stern rebuke. Self-pity, Jesus declared, was an idea that could have come only from Satan. He then countered Peter's protest by going further. "It is not I alone who must go to the cross," he told them, "but all of you who follow me and desire to be my disciples. Do not imagine that I am the only one who must do God's will. My way shall be your way too."

Deep down, Peter knew this, and if in saying "Pity yourself" he was expressing affection for the Lord, he was at the same time unconsciously revealing his attitude toward himself. He too would avoid the cross and thus preserve the selfish life of his own soul.