Open Rebuke Versus Hidden Love
Most proverbs involve the use of parallelism, in which synonyms are used to describe the same situation—or else antonyms are used to contrast a point. Take, for example Proverbs 27:5, which several translations render as: "Open rebuke is better than hidden love." Open is contrasted with hidden. Something is either done openly, so that all may observe it, or it is hidden so that no one may see it. Likewise contrasted are rebuke and love. The former is generally thought to be stern, harsh, and negative; the latter probably involves joyous and positive emotion. A rebuke before all seems to be a negative action, but it is better than love that is not expressed.
What if Ruth had not expressed her love to Naomi (Ruth 1:16-17)? Had she hidden it or kept it secret, she would have allowed Naomi to depart from Moab, as Orpah did. We might have heard of her name, but that's it. We would not have known how noble she was, and she certainly would not have been in the genealogy of Jesus. All that would have happened is that a few people in her home country might have heard of her speak admiringly of her mother-in-law. Hidden love would have kept from happening what actually did happen. What if Jonathan had not made known his admiration for David? We might not know what a great man he was. How would his son Mephibosheth have fared later on? But the verse is broader than this.
The contrast should not be overlooked. Jesus rebuked Peter—rather strongly: "Get Behind Me, Satan!" (Matt. 16:23). Peter did not intend to say anything wrong. He undoubtedly thought he was vowing loyalty to Jesus. What he did not realize is that he was advocating exactly what Satan would desire him to say (if the devil knew that by means of the cross Jesus would be saving mankind). Jesus did not need any encouragement to stay away from the crucifixion. He knew what it would entail and how greatly He would suffer in the process. The last thing He needed to be told was, "Far be it from You, Lord. This shall not happen to you!" No. This was His mission in leaving Heaven. It had to be accomplished.
Jesus did not let His love for Peter stand in the way. He had to reprimand him. That open rebuke was better than hidden love. Loving someone means chastising them when necessary, as Hebrews 12:5-6 states. Hiding one's love or loving someone too much to rebuke them is bad for the person who needs correction. Yes, a sharp rebuke stings the one on the receiving end. Peter must have been dumfounded and hurt. But it was necessary. He did not act defensively—since it was the Lord speaking to him. But did he understand what he had just said? None of us is infallible or beyond reproach. It may be necessary to be openly rebuked. We must remember that it is not easy for a friend to do so, but he will, if he loves us.