Minister Victor Parrott
Mark:8:31-33 (NIV)

³¹He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. ³² He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. ³³ But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

"Friendly Fire"
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The phrase “friendly fire” came into prominence largely because of news reports about Pat Tillman, who was an NFL football player. After the terrorist attack of Sept. 11, 2001, Mr. Tillman voluntarily enlisted in the military so that he could fight the war on terrorism. Tragically, while out on patrol, he was accidentally killed in an attack by another unit of American troops. This type of attack by one’s own troops is known as friendly fire. Though the attack is intended for one target, it mistakenly hits another target.

Regrettably, friendly fire is not relegated to war zones only. Friendly fire may also come from within, as those who struggle with auto-immune system diseases can attest to. They are aware of the damaging effects that can be caused by a misguided immune system that is mistakenly targeting healthy tissues. Somehow the immune system perceives the body as an external threat which needs to be eliminated. Thusly, those, who are affected by auto-immune disorders, have to endure the debilitating effects of the friendly fire of an immune system which is aiming at the wrong target.

Friendly fire can also emanate from family and friends. Although “sometimes” well-intended, the comments of family and friends can be perceived as shots that are taken at your dreams and aspirations. While their goals might be to protect you from the possibility of harm that might be caused by failure and disappointment, they might be unknowingly shooting down your visions.

I would suspect that Jesus felt that He was coming under friendly fire also when Peter rebuked Him in Mark 8. Here was one of His trusted disciples unwittingly taking shots at Jesus’ divine purpose. In Peter’s defense, he probably meant well. After all, his intent was to protect Jesus from the abuse that He would suffer. He had no idea that he was attacking God’s plan for our salvation. When under assault by friendly fire, do as Jesus did. Confront it and then call it what it is.

Prayer 

Almighty God, protect us from friendly and unfriendly fire. And, prevent us from engaging in friendly fire of any kind. In the name of Jesus we pray, Amen.

Thought for the day 

Friendly fire is just as lethal as unfriendly fire.