Re:Verse reading–Mark 8:27-38 (day five)
When Peter makes the great confession, there were assumptions that go along with it. Jesus will be a king, a shepherd, and redeemer. Yet they missed the parts of scripture that prophesied of His affliction, suffering, and death. (Isaiah 52-53) Jesus begins to teach them what it really meant for Him to be Messiah. They were thinking/believing that the weapon that would establish and grow the Kingdom of God would be the sword. Then Jesus clears their confusion. When Jesus begins talking about His own suffering and death, maybe the disciples concluded that they would probably meet the same fate. Fear, uncertainty, and self-preservation quickly took over. Peter speaks (rebukes) in strong reaction.
Jesus then describes the strategy and weapon that will establish and grow God’s Kingdom- the Cross. “If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.” The weapon needed is not the sword (political and social revolution), but rather the Cross (humility, sacrifice, suffering, and obedience).
Thank you.
1) Humility
2) Sacrifice
3) Suffering
4) Obedience