1. The Son of Man must suffer (31)

Peter confessed Jesus to be the Christ, but he and the other disciples did not know the nature of Jesus' Messiahship. So Jesus began to teach about his death and resurrection. This is the heart of the gospel, for Jesus came to save us from sin and death and, in obedience to God's will, this was how he did it.

2. Get behind me, Satan! (32-33)

Peter loved Jesus in his own way; he could not accept Jesus' words about his suffering. So he rebuked Jesus. Jesus used strong language to rebuke Peter--he called him 'Satan.' From the beginning of Jesus' ministry, Satan had tempted him to avoid the cross. But Jesus had made a decision to stand on God's side and obey God's will. Anyone who does not stand on God's side but tries to find some 'crossless,' middle way is on Satan's side.

Application: Lord, I believe that your death and resurrection were for me. Help me to have in mind the things of God and stand on your side, so that I may not follow Satan's clever lies.
One Word: Jesus died and rose for me.