If Jesus Calls You “Satan”

…then you might want to re-think your viewpoint. We can all learn something from Peter – and Jesus – in Mark 8.

If you call Jesus “Christ,” but you don’t want Him to do the things that the Christ does, then you clearly don’t know what “Christ” means, nor do you know Jesus very well.

If you call Jesus “Christ,” but you don’t like His whole purpose of suffering and dying, you’re missing the point. You may have some concern for the symptoms, but you’re totally ignoring the disease.

If you call Jesus “Christ,” but you don’t want to hear the whole story – like His righteous laws and judgment – then you are diluting the Gospel, since you would logically conclude that nothing is sin and nobody needs saving.

If you call Jesus “Christ,” but you want Him to win you elections and likes, you are trying to manipulate Him rather than imitate Him. His Kingdom is not made of earthly politics.

If you call Jesus “Christ,” but you don’t want to change your heart, soul, mind or life, then you only have a mascot, not a Savior. His grace makes us new, not reinforcing the old.

If you call Jesus “Christ,” but you’re reluctant to say it out loud for fear someone else might hear you, you value the wrong relationships in your life.

If you call Jesus “Christ,” but you’re not willing to serve Him in whatever ways He calls you to, with whatever gifts He’s given you, then you are an immature brat, rather then Child of God. You are thinking only of yourself. You are serving only yourself. You are doing the devil a favor.

So to those who are too ignorant or full of themselves, Jesus says, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

If Jesus calls you “Satan,” you need to realize you’ve gone too far, and repent. Turn away, turn around, turn toward the One who still loves you in spite of yourself.

If Jesus calls you “Satan,” you should review the things you’ve said and done, the hurt you may have caused, or the hate you may have helped. Find the nearest means of grace, and let Jesus repair the damage.

If Jesus calls you “Satan,” your attitude about yourself and the people He has placed around you has wandered far away from the Jesus-centered focus He gave you. Own your sin, and accept His rebuke.

If Jesus calls you “Satan,” you may have patterned your life too much after a dying world rather than a living Savior. Open your heart, your mind and your Bible to regain a fresh and Godly perspective on life and all its contents.

If Jesus calls you “Satan,” you are probably losing your grasp on the reality of your two lives that He has woven together: this earthly life in time, and the eternal life to come. Don’t OD on the temporary. Take as many people to heaven with you as you can.

If Jesus calls you “Satan,” you’ve got a cross to carry rather than bury. Pick it up. You can do all things through Him who strengthens you, for Him who saves you, especially from yourself.

If Jesus calls you “Satan,” it’s because He loves you too much to let anyone – including yourself – take you away from Him. His love is hard. It is tough. It’s also forever.

Even with all that, Jesus still calls you His friend. His follower. His child. “I have called you by name,” He says. “You are mine.” And there’s nothing Satan can do about that.

​Pastor Steve Kline