Tag: Mark 8
A Godly mindset!
Scripture reading for February 19: Mark 8
“And He asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered Him, “You are the Christ.” And He strictly charged them to tell no one about Him. And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. And He said this plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But turning and seeing His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”” Mark 8:29-33
At the core of our world view is our settled opinion about Jesus Christ. Jesus drew out His disciples as He asked them, “Who do people say that I am?” Most world-views are shaped by peer pressure. Everyone has an opinion, even if they have not really done research or know someone personally. The people of that culture and time had various estimates of Jesus. Some said He was John the Baptist come back to life after his beheading. Others though He might be the prophet Elijah or one of the other Old Testament prophets. But Jesus was wanting them to state what they really thought after spending time with Him and participating in His ministry of preaching, healing and deliverance.
“Who do you say that I am?” was the key question for them and for us today. Peter’s answer, “You are the Christ,” was a godly mindset. After this great confession by Peter on behalf of all the disciples, Jesus began to tell them of the coming rejection by the elders of Israel and the crucifixion and ultimately the resurrection after three days. Peter quickly rebuked Jesus as this did not fit with his understanding of Jesus as the ‘Christ’! Jesus had to rebuke Satan who used Peter, and subsequently Peter, for allowing the mindset of the world to over-ride the revelation of God’s redemptive work through suffering on the cross.
Have you allowed others opinions of Jesus Christ to shape your world view? Who do you say that Jesus is? How do you react to the story of Jesus’ virgin birth, sinless life, crucifixion for sinners, and resurrection?
Prayer: Father God, Thank You for revealing Jesus Christ, Your Son to me and all who will humbly seek to know who He is. As I ponder the events of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection, settle Your Son in me as my Lord and Savior. Use me to share these truths with others. Amen.
Don’t chase after the miraculous!
Scripture reading for February 19th: Mark 8
Key scriptures for over-comers: Mark 8:11-13 “The Pharisees came and began to question Jesus. To test Him, they asked Him for a sign from heaven. He sighed deeply and said, “Why does this generation ask for a miraculous sign? I tell you the truth, no sign will be given to it.” Then He left them, got back into the boat and crossed to the other side.”
After a miraculous feeding of 4000 men, plus women and children with just seven loaves and two fish, Jesus went to another side of the Sea of Galilee. He was met by the Pharisees who demanded that Jesus perform a miraculous sign from heaven. These were scholars of the Old Testament and the very Messiah spoken of in the Law and Prophets now stood before them. He had taught in the temple, and in their synagogues and done many mighty miracles as signs spoken of in the Scriptures. But they refused to believe in Him, instead wanting to be entertained by the miraculous! Jesus sighed deeply in disgust!
Part of our church culture today should read this Scripture and take heed. Some don’t even believe in the miraculous and that is wrong. But others go around seeking the miraculous. They are not satisfied if “the miraculous” isn’t happening where God has planted them. Just as Jesus did not turn the stones into bread or jump off the Temple to appease Satan, He does not do miracles to satisfy curiosity! (Matthew 4:1-7) He only responds to faith!
Observations for over-comers: Beware of seeking miraculous signs! Jesus has given us His Word and Spirit and promises to work with us confirming His Word with signs that follow as He sees the need! “He has shown you, O man, what is good. and what does the Lord require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God.” (Micah 6:8)
Losing to win!
Scripture reading for February 19th: Mark 8
“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, but Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.” (Mark 8:31-32) After performing another notable sign, the healing of the blind man, Jesus began to question His disciples about who people said He was. He then asked them who they thought He was. Peter had answered, “You are the Christ.” (Mark 8:29) Jesus then began to teach them about His mission of suffering and death. Peter, thinking that He would stop Jesus or impress Him, began to rebuke Him!
Jesus was teaching His followers that fulfilling the mission of God was the way to true victory! We can’t just have it our way and think the way men do. Peter was guilty of playing into Satan’s hand and often so are we! When we only want the blessings of following Christ, but reject or rebuke Jesus when He asks us to lay our life down for Him we are thinking like mere men. In God’s economy the way to real life is to give up our worldly thinking and think like Jesus! He was sold out to do God’s will and we are the benefactors of eternal life!
“If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for Me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?” (Mark 8:34-36)