Jesus’ thinking was fully in line with that of his heavenly Father. Jesus said to Peter: “Get behind me, Satan! You are a stumbling block to me, because you think, not God’s thoughts, but those of men.” (Matt. 16:23) Peter may have had good intentions, but Jesus rejected Peter’s advice. There is a lesson for us. Leading a self-sparing life was not Jehovah’s will for Jesus. On that occasion, Peter learned a valuable lesson about making God’s thoughts his thoughts.

In what way did Jesus show that his thinking was in line with Jehovah’s?

1 answer

Jesus demonstrated that his thinking was in line with Jehovah’s through his unwavering commitment to fulfill God’s will, even in the face of personal difficulty or temptation. When Peter opposed Jesus’ prediction of his suffering and death, he was expressing a common human desire to avoid pain and hardship. However, Jesus recognized that his mission required him to sacrifice for the greater purpose of salvation, aligning his thoughts with God’s plan rather than seeking a path of self-preservation.

In addition, throughout his ministry, Jesus consistently sought to carry out God’s intentions, emphasizing love, compassion, and obedience to God's commandments. He often referred to his desire to do the will of his Father, stating, "My food is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work" (John 4:34). Jesus’ prayers, especially in Gethsemane, further illustrate his submission to God’s will, as he said, “Not my will, but yours be done” (Luke 22:42). This obedience, even unto death, underscores the alignment of his thoughts and actions with those of Jehovah.