Mark 8: 27-38

Read:

Mark 8:27-38

27 Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, ‘Who do people say that I am?’ 28And they answered him, ‘John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.’ 29He asked them, ‘But who do you say that I am?’ Peter answered him, ‘You are the Messiah.’ 30And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him. 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.’ 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.’

Think:

You are the Messiah. I took a course in seminary this past year all about Messianic prophecy and I have to admit that I wouldn't think of Jesus as the messiah if I were expecting the prince, priest, or political powerhouse that was described by the prophets.  I am so grateful that I was not one of the disciples who he asked this question because I don't think I would have been able to make the leap from what was expected versus what was reality. Jesus is the Messiah.  I can claim that 2000 years later with a host of apostles, saints, martyrs and an uncountable number of Christians who came before myself.

Jesus is also the Son of Man who suffered for all of us, and was rejected by his community.  I thank him that he did that and I didn't have to because I am not nearly as strong as the Son of Man.

Pray:

Give me strength to stand up for what I believe in, for who I believe in, even when those in my community persecute and destroy.  Amen

Contemplate:

10 minutes centering prayer.