Mark 8:27-38
Read Mark 8:27-38
Helpful Background Information:
This passage begins with a conversation between Jesus and His disciples, where two crucial questions are asked. First, Jesus asks His disciples who people are saying that He is (v.27). The answers given (John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets) reflect the fact that the crowds had not yet grasped who Jesus really was and what He was there to do. Instead, they were trying to fit Jesus into categories they already had on their minds (see Malachi 4:5-6). The next question Jesus asks is directed to His disciples. He asks them who they think He is (v.29a). Of all the answers that could have been given, Peter speaks up and says that Jesus is the Messiah (v.29b). Interestingly, Jesus responds by telling the crew to keep things quiet—at least for now.
Next, Jesus explains “plainly” how things were going to shake out for Him as the Messiah. Namely, Jesus talks about Himself as “the Son of Man” and explains how suffering, rejection, and death would be necessary before rising again in triumph (v.31). Struggling to process what he’s just heard, Peter actually rebukes Jesus (v.32). In Peter’s defense, his response was likely conditioned by the majority view at the time. In and around Jesus’ day, people had come to expect the Messiah to rule as a conquering king rather than die as a suffering servant. How could Jesus, with all the power that He’s put on display throughout Mark’s Gospel so far be rejected and become a victim of violence? For Peter, a suffering Messiah was an impossibility. Yet, Jesus rebukes Peter for getting in the way of a necessary part of God’s redemptive plan, thereby playing Satan’s role (v.33).
In the last part of the passage, Jesus begins speaking not only to His disciples but also to the crowds. Jesus says that anyone can become His disciple, but if they do, they must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. In other words, Jesus’ disciples must follow in His footsteps—receiving new life from God by willingly laying their old life down at His feet.
Reflection Questions:
Who do people say Jesus is today? (in or outside of the church) List some specific examples.
At this point in the story, Peter’s own malformed expectations were getting in the way of what God was doing. What are ways to keep our expectations and interests aligned with God’s?
What do you think are ways that church culture tries to make the gospel/discipleship “easier” than Jesus presented it?
What are stories/examples of people you know who have embodied Jesus’ call to carry the cross? What about them do you find most compelling?