Human Nature

Since I’ve joined the ministry and started taking my studies seriously, it amazes me that regardless how much times change, people do not. Regardless of what the calendar reads, human nature tends to remain the same and we can look at the Disciples of Christ and compare their actions to some of what we see in today’s society.

For example, think about everything that Christ told these men and all that these men witnessed as a result of being with Christ. Despite having all of this knowledge and information as they clearly had far greater opportunities than others, they did not take heed as they should have. Different times we see Christ saying one thing but the disciples told Him that it wasn’t so and while they were well meaning, they were going against God and this is never good to do. 

One of my favorite Biblical characters is Peter and while Peter was highly favored, Peter was also clueless many times. He had far greater opportunities than most others but he did not take notice of what Christ had said which meant, he was not paying attention to all that he saw from our Lord. Christ took note of this and called Peter out: “But he turned, and said unto Peter, Get thee behind me, Satan: thou art an offence unto me: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but those that be of men” (Matthew 16:23).

Christ was not saying that Peter was Satan but rather, Peter was acting as a messenger of Satan and Christ was justified in rebuking Peter. Here, we are able to see that it is much easier for any individual to be a tool for God or tools for Satan than most ever give thought to as Peter was unaware that he was speaking for Satan in the same way that he was unaware that he was speaking for God just verses prior: “And Simon Peter answered and said, Thou art the Christ, the Son of the living God” (Matthew 16:16) It is true that while the spirit is strong, the body may indeed be weak: “Watch and pray, that ye enter not into temptation: the spirit indeed is willing, but the flesh is weak” (Matthew 26:41).

Christ loved Peter the same way that He loved Judas but both men turned their backs on Him. Judas sold out the Savior and He was arrested, beaten, and put to death because of the betray of Judas and Peter denied Christ three times before the crowing of the rooster although he was adamant that he would not despite the claims of Christ: “Peter said unto him, Though I should die with thee, yet will I not deny thee. Likewise also said all the disciples” (Matthew 26:35). Although scripture never says so, I personally believe that Christ had to roll his eyes different times with some of these people just the way He does with many of us, today.

The point of this article is to show that it is human nature to believe that we know more even when our Master and our Lord says otherwise. Too many people have told me that they believe something is going to happen a certain way despite scripture saying otherwise and this is similar to the ways of Peter, Judas, and the rest of the disciples. Christ was always a forgiving and merciful God and He still is, today, and we know this because scripture tells us so: “Jesus Christ the same yesterday, and today, and forever” (Hebrews 13:8).