Would you like some cheese with that Whine?

Matthew 16:21 From that time on Jesus began to explain to his disciples that he must go to Jerusalem and suffer many things at the hands of the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and on the third day be raised to life.

22 Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. “Never, Lord!” he said. “This shall never happen to you!”

I don't know precisely what was going through Peter's mind. None of us do. But I think there are times it is safe to speculate when the Bible isn't clear (certainly not all the time). I think we can guess that in this case Peter was reacting to the thought that Jesus would suffer crucifixion. It's a terrible way to die - purposely a long, painful death in full public view, with the shame of nakedness and a scourging for added effect.

But the idea was not that the death would be awful - though it was - but that there was a price which had to be paid. Not how the execution was to take place, but THAT the life was to be given.

I think if Peter had taken his eyes off of the loving friend who stood before him, and if he had taken his mind off of the terrible death which Jesus said was in store for Him, and tried to get a 'big picture' of the desperate need for the once-for-all sacrifice which needed to be be offered, well Peter might have had a different view of the whole thing.

So - we have the same choice. Try to see our lives as fleeting and our sufferings as temporary, and keep in mind the fact that eternity with God waits beyond - it does tend to reduce the whining a bit.

2 Corinthians 4:17 (New International Version, ©2010)

17 For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all.