When Jesus went into the region of Caesarea Philippi he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that the Son of Man is?" They replied, "Some say John the Baptist, others Elijah, still others Jeremiah or one of the prophets." He said to them, "But who do you say that I am?" Simon Peter said in reply, "You are the Messiah, the Son of the living God." Jesus said to him in reply, "Blessed are you, Simon son of Jonah. For flesh and blood has not revealed this to you, but my heavenly Father…
Then he strictly ordered his disciples to tell no one that he was the Messiah. From that time on, Jesus began to show his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer greatly from the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed and on the third day be raised. Then Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him, "God forbid, Lord! No such thing shall ever happen to you." He turned and said to Peter, "Get behind me, Satan! You are an obstacle to me. You are thinking not as God does, but as human beings do." (Mt 16:13-23)
Revelation is always from God. Man can realize only certain aspects about things and persons. People recognize that Jesus is one of the prophets or John the Baptist etc. Yes they have realized only certain aspects of Jesus and his ministry. Revelation is total and complete. Revelation contains all aspects of the Jesus and his ministry. That is why Peter says you are the messiah.
Revelation also presents certain goals of life. Human understanding cannot accept this. When Jesus said about his journey to Jerusalem and his suffering etc., Peter could not accept it. He could not visualize his messiah in suffering. Probably Peter was like anyone else who waited for a political messiah.
For a messiah or Godly person human understanding and human explanation are ‘obstacles’ and they reveal Satan. Satan is the person whose thinking is not as God but as human being. Human beings are good but they can end up as Satan or recognize the Messiah depending on their thinking. Is it God’s thinking?
