“Jesus turned and said to Peter, ‘Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me; you do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.’”
Matthew 16:23
When Jesus rebuked Peter for challenging His words, it was as if a strike of a rod had come down swiftly on Peter. The “rod” of the Lord’s rebuke would be used with him at other times, too (see John 13:8, Matthew 26:33-34). But it also would lead to total restoration and Jesus’ charge to Peter to “feed my sheep” (John 21:16).
In Psalm 23 David speaks of the rod and staff as a shepherd’s tools. The rod was a weapon used to safeguard both the shepherd and his flock in the face of danger. The staff was for walking but also for guiding, for prodding the sheep to go in the right way. It might be curved at the top so that the crook could fit around the neck of a sheep. It was an instrument for good, used to guide, protect, and rescue.
“Together the rod and staff were used for discipline, to correct any wayward sheep that insisted on wandering. Protection and guidance; defending and disciplining. Remember, discipline is both instruction—this is the way; walk in it—and correction—you have gone off the path; get back on it” (Dave Roberts, 2020).
In Psalm 23 David speaks of the rod and staff as a shepherd’s tools. The rod was a weapon used to safeguard both the shepherd and his flock in the face of danger. The staff was for walking but also for guiding, for prodding the sheep to go in the right way. It might be curved at the top so that the crook could fit around the neck of a sheep. It was an instrument for good, used to guide, protect, and rescue.
“Together the rod and staff were used for discipline, to correct any wayward sheep that insisted on wandering. Protection and guidance; defending and disciplining. Remember, discipline is both instruction—this is the way; walk in it—and correction—you have gone off the path; get back on it” (Dave Roberts, 2020).
Scripture Focus
Matthew 16:21-23
Insight
A loving parent and an attentive shepherd both offer discipline and instruction. “The LORD disciplines those he loves, as a father the son he delights in” (Proverbs 3:12).
Bible In A Year
- Genesis 35-36
- Psalm 18
- Matthew 26
