Word@Work 097 - Mark 8:31-33
Published: Mon, 04/07/08
Word@Work from BeaconLight
Read Mark 8:31-33 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 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 things of God, but the things of men." (NIV)
After Peter's dramatic confession of the identity of Jesus, perhaps he expected a triumphant procession to start. But even before the transfiguration, Jesus has to teach the apostles that He was to be the Christ who suffered. To be glorified, yes: but to suffer was the first essential. These words really upset Peter. So much so that he dared to rebuke Jesus! His mind was so fixed on the power and the glory, that he could not see the necessity for the cross.
Jesus looked up from the private correction that Peter tried to administer; and rebuked Peter so severely, he would never forget it. Jesus exposed Peter's thinking as not only fleshly and worldly, but also devilish. Satan tried to use the apostle's mouth to deflect Jesus from His course (differently, Judas' mouth was used to betray Jesus, and confirm it with a kiss). Telling Peter to get out of His way, Jesus admonished him - his mind did not want the whole truth, even though he had correctly identified his Master.
The world certainly cannot see the point of the suffering of Jesus; but when someone does, it is life-changing! So to talk about Jesus as the kind teacher, or the powerful healer, is to miss the point. Jesus was so called, because he would 'save His people from their sins'. And that meant the cross. Omit that, and Satan has won a battle. A rebuke to us also?
Prayer: Father God. Thank you that Jesus Christ suffered and died for me so that I could be at peace with you. Help me to be bold about sharing this truth - so that others may live in your love too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
After Peter's dramatic confession of the identity of Jesus, perhaps he expected a triumphant procession to start. But even before the transfiguration, Jesus has to teach the apostles that He was to be the Christ who suffered. To be glorified, yes: but to suffer was the first essential. These words really upset Peter. So much so that he dared to rebuke Jesus! His mind was so fixed on the power and the glory, that he could not see the necessity for the cross.
Jesus looked up from the private correction that Peter tried to administer; and rebuked Peter so severely, he would never forget it. Jesus exposed Peter's thinking as not only fleshly and worldly, but also devilish. Satan tried to use the apostle's mouth to deflect Jesus from His course (differently, Judas' mouth was used to betray Jesus, and confirm it with a kiss). Telling Peter to get out of His way, Jesus admonished him - his mind did not want the whole truth, even though he had correctly identified his Master.
The world certainly cannot see the point of the suffering of Jesus; but when someone does, it is life-changing! So to talk about Jesus as the kind teacher, or the powerful healer, is to miss the point. Jesus was so called, because he would 'save His people from their sins'. And that meant the cross. Omit that, and Satan has won a battle. A rebuke to us also?
Prayer: Father God. Thank you that Jesus Christ suffered and died for me so that I could be at peace with you. Help me to be bold about sharing this truth - so that others may live in your love too. In Jesus' Name. Amen.
You can read more of this Bible passage online - in English and other languages - share the Bible with your friends!
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