23 But He turned and said to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to Me; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Matthew 16:21-23.
We can readily imagine that Peter may be thinking that God would not allow such horrific events to happen to His beloved Son. We can also readily imagine that Peter was also thinking that the continued teaching and continued miracles that Jesus was doing would best advance God’s kingdom. “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to You.”
But, as we know, God’s justice demanded that even His beloved Son Jesus suffer and die in order to atone for the sins of His people, the Elect. As we also know, God’s kingdom was advanced much more after Jesus’ death, resurrection, and ascension.
We need to be prepared and to accept the fact that God’s interest may not be what appears to be man’s interest. Man’s interest is long life and comfort. God’s interest is productive life and service to others and even ourselves.
That does not necessarily mean that our life will necessarily be short and painful. We also find that “HE HAS FILLED THE HUNGRY WITH GOOD THINGS; And sent away the rich empty-handed.” Luke 1:53 “With a long life I will satisfy him And let him see My salvation.” Psalm 91:16
” 1 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And all that is within me, bless His holy name.
2 Bless the LORD, O my soul,
And forget none of His benefits;
3 Who pardons all your iniquities,
Who heals all your diseases;
4 Who redeems your life from the pit,
Who crowns you with lovingkindness and compassion;
5 Who satisfies your years with good things,
So that your youth is renewed like the eagle.” Psalm 103:1-5.
“… The earth is satisfied with the fruit of His works.
He causes the grass to grow for the cattle,
And vegetation for the labor of man,
So that he may bring forth food from the earth,
And wine which makes man’s heart glad,
So that he may make his face glisten with oil,
And food which sustains man’s heart. Psalm 104:13-15.
So, there will be sufferings and there will be comfort. But, we can take comfort in the fact that our sufferings are not needless nor random. Our sufferings have the purpose of service toward others. “For just as the sufferings of Christ are ours in abundance, so also our comfort is abundant through Christ. But if we are afflicted, it is for your comfort and salvation; or if we are comforted, it is for your comfort, which is effective in the patient enduring of the same sufferings which we also suffer; and our hope for you is firmly grounded, knowing that as you are sharers of our sufferings, so also you are sharers of our comfort.” 2 Corinthians 1:5-7. (Emphasis added).
Let me repeat. Our sufferings and not needless nor random. Our sufferings also have the purpose of service to our salvation. The very first question and answer of the Heidelberg Catechism states:
“Question: What is thy only comfort in life and death?
Answer: That I with body and soul, both in life and death, am not my own, but belong unto my faithful Savior Jesus Christ; who, with his precious blood, hath fully satisfied for all my sins, and delivered me from all the power of the devil; and so preserves me that without the will of my heavenly Father, not a hair can fall from my head; yea, that all things must be subservient to my salvation, and therefore, by his Holy Spirit, he also assures me of eternal life, and makes me sincerely willing and ready, henceforth, to live unto him.” (Emphasis added)
In any event, we know: “… that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory that is to be revealed to us.” Romans 8:18
So, what will happen to us? Will our life be short and painful or long and comfortable? Later, the same disciple Peter asked about John. “So Peter seeing him said to Jesus, “Lord, and what about this man?” Jesus said to him, “If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you? You follow Me!” John 21-22. (Emphasis added).
Reformed Doctrine Daily Devotions 