Mark 8:31-38
31Then 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.”
34He 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.”
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First Devotional: In this verse, Jesus is predicting rejection by others and eventually his death and resurrection. As He was greatly loved and admired by His Disciples, Peter was unhappy hearing this and criticized him.
I was thinking back in my life at the U of M in the 1960’s. I was involved with a Student Union group who had a magnetic and charismatic leader. I was so compelled by this young man that it was easy to see that I might follow him wherever he might lead. I’m sure that was a similar sentiment that the disciples felt towards Jesus.
Jesus snaps back to Peter saying “Get behind me Satan – you do not have the concerns of God, only human concerns”. Jesus tells his followers “Whoever wants to be my disciple must take up the cross and follow me. For “whoever wants to save their life will lose it but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”
What does he mean by losing one’s life – by doing things that have little value and don’t involve God.
“If anyone is ashamed of me and my word, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Are we ready to forsake our human things and focus on heavenly things? In America, we are definitely focused on our earthly belongings. We enjoy our warm cozy houses, a full refrigerator and a newer car in the garage. We like the opportunities for a good education and job. What will we give up for Jesus?
Prayer: Dear God, Help me keep my priorities straight. Help me follow your will and not mine. Help me keep on the heavenly track. Amen
—Bev Viken