Heavy Handed Scripture Hammer

He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. Mark 8:32

Rain came to us last night, praise the Lord! Have you ever quoted a scripture, or what you thought was a scripture, to someone and upon later review found your application to be a bit heavy? If so, then I am glad that I am not the only one. If a jeweler should grab a 5-lb sledge hammer in place of the tiny hammer usually applied, then destruction of a beautiful gem is the likely result. And it seems that at times we too might take up a sledge hammer of scripture when a loving pat would better serve us. The swing and the clank of it make us feel the power, but later reflection brings wisdom. The disciples made mistakes too! In our verse for today we see Peter, full of scriptural righteousness to his thinking, rebuking our Lord. We know from the story that Pete's heavy-handed scripture hammer was out of line and he received a good verbal knock in return. The scripture prophecies that Peter thought were in his now were in fact a 'not yet'.

So, gently and lovingly with the scripture, dear children, for it is powerful and sharp like a sword!

Bucky