Mark part 11 Chapter 8:27-

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The Incident that we are studying tonight took place six months before the crucifixion
This was a very pivotal in Jesus ministry, marking the climax of His teaching concerning His own person.
They have been with Him for 2 and half years of school
Divine Revelation
1,000’s of miracles
And teaching like none other
Feeding over 40,000 people creating food out of nothing
Walking on the water
Jesus had been preparing His disciples for this private meeting at which He intended to reveal to them what would happen to Him at Jerusalem.
Introduction: Jesus was facing the end very, very soon and there was still much to teach the disciples. It was time for them to learn that He was building a church—an assembly of people who would be confessing Him to be the Messiah.
: “Thou art the Christ.” The importance of the question and its confession is clearly seen by glancing quickly at the points of the passage.
Mark 8:27 ESV
27 And Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi. And on the way he asked his disciples, “Who do people say that I am?”
As mentioned previously, the phrase “on the way” (hodos) is more than a directional marker, for it became a metaphor for the direction God set before Jesus and the way Jesus called His disciples to follow by faith.
*What do the Crowds say that I’m
Often Jesus’ questions were springboards for new teaching
DEEPER STUDY # 1
(8:27) Caesarea Philippi: the city had a rich religious history. It had once been the center of Baal worship with at least fourteen temples in and around the city. It was believed to have within its borders the cavern in which the Greek god of nature, Pan, was born. In the beginning of its history, the city was so identified with this god that it was named after the god, being called Panias. One of its most beautiful structures was the gleaming white marble temple built for the worship of Caesar. Herod the Great had built the temple in honor of Caesar when Caesar bestowed on him another country. But it was Herod’s son Philip who adorned the temple with the magnificence for which it was known worldwide. It was also Philip who changed the name of the city from Panias to Caesarea, Caesar’s town. He added his own name also, calling the city Caesarea Philippi.
The city proclaimed far and wide the worship of Caesar and of the gods of one’s choice, that is, the worship of all except the One true and living God. It was against this dramatic yet terrible background that Jesus asked the pointed question, “But who do you say that I am?” (emphatic Greek translation). It was also against this background of religion that Peter made his great discovery and confession: Jesus is the Christ, the real Messiah.
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 152). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
*Who do the people say that I’am
*What do the Crowds say that I’m
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 138). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Often Jesus’ questions were springboards for new teaching
Any time Jesus asks me a question it’s not for information but He’s trying to give me a revelation
Grassmick, J. D. (1985). Mark. In J. F. Walvoord & R. B. Zuck (Eds.), The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures (Vol. 2, p. 139). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
If you were to go around asking your friends, “What do people say about me?” they would take it as an evidence of pride. What difference does it really make what people think or say about us? We are not that important! But what people believe and say about Jesus Christ is important, for He is the Son of God and the only Saviour of sinners.
1 John 2:22 ESV
22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
1
Your confession concerning Jesus Christ is a matter of life or death (, ; ; ). The citizens of Caesarea Philippi would say, “Caesar is lord!” That confession might identify them as loyal Roman citizens, but it could never save them from their sins and from eternal hell. The only confession that saves us is “Jesus is Lord!”
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, p. 139). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.matter of life or death (, ; ; ). The citizens of Caesarea Philippi would say, “Caesar is lord!” That confession might identify them as loyal Roman citizens, but it could never save them from their sins and from eternal hell. The only confession that saves us is “Jesus is Lord!”
Romans 10:9 ESV
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
1 John 2:23 ESV
23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
Wiersbe, W. W. (1996). The Bible exposition commentary (Vol. 1, pp. 138–139). Wheaton, IL: Victor Books.
Romans 10:10 ESV
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
1 John 2:24 ESV
24 Let what you heard from the beginning abide in you. If what you heard from the beginning abides in you, then you too will abide in the Son and in the Father.
1 John 2:25 ESV
25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
1 John 2:25 ESV
25 And this is the promise that he made to us—eternal life.
1 John
1 John 2:26 ESV
26 I write these things to you about those who are trying to deceive you.
1 John 2:27 ESV
27 But the anointing that you received from him abides in you, and you have no need that anyone should teach you. But as his anointing teaches you about everything, and is true, and is no lie—just as it has taught you, abide in him.
Mark 8:28 ESV
28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.”
Profession, False—Jesus Christ, Denial: the confession of men shortchanged Jesus. Most men saw Jesus only as a great man, a man who was highly esteemed and respected. He was considered one of the greatest of men, but note a crucial point: these professions were not only untrue, they were dangerous. They contained only half-truths, and people were deceived and misled by them.
Profession, False—Jesus Christ, Denial: the confession of men shortchanged Jesus. Most men saw Jesus only as a great man, a man who was highly esteemed and respected. He was considered one of the greatest of men, but note a crucial point: these professions were not only untrue, they were dangerous. They contained only half-truths, and people were deceived and misled by them.
1. Some said Jesus was John the Baptist. They professed Jesus to be a great spirit of righteousness, a spirit that was willing to be martyred for its faith. Herod and others thought this (). Upon hearing of Jesus’ marvelous works, Herod fancied that either John had been revived or else his spirit indwelt the man Jesus.
The common people also saw some similarity between John and Jesus: both were doing a great work for God; both were divinely chosen and gifted by God; and both proclaimed the Kingdom of God and prepared men for it.
Therefore, when some looked at Jesus and His ministry, they thought Jesus was not the Messiah Himself, but the promised forerunner of the Messiah ().
2. Some said Jesus was Elijah. They professed Jesus to be the greatest prophet and teacher of all time, for Elijah was so considered. Elijah was predicted to be the forerunner of the coming Messiah (). Even today the Jews expect Elijah to return before the Messiah. In the celebration of the Passover they always leave a chair vacant for him to occupy. Elijah had also been used by God to miraculously feed a widow woman and her son (); therefore, the people connected Elijah’s miracle and Jesus’ feeding of the multitude.
3. Some said Jesus was one of the prophets. They professed Jesus to be a great prophet sent for their day and time. He was thought to be one of the great prophets brought back to life or one in whom the spirit of a great prophet dwelt (see , ).
Thought 1. The same false confessions about Christ exist in every generation.
1) He was only a great man of righteousness who was martyred for His great faith. As such He leaves us a great example of how to live and stand up for what we believe.
2) He was one of the greatest teachers and prophets of all time.
3) He was only a great man who revealed some very important things to us about God and religion. As such He can make a significant contribution to every man in his search for God.
4) He was only a great man, a prophet sent to the people (Jews) of His day from whom we can learn by studying His life.
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 153). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). The Gospel according to Mark (pp. 152–153). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
All three responses were wrong, indicating that Jesus’ identity and mission remained veiled from the people.
All three responses were wrong, indicating that Jesus’ identity and mission remained veiled from the people.
We cannot allow society to define who Jesus is
Postmodernism: Description of a contemporary intellectual and cultural climate as a stage beyond the “modernism” introduced by the Enlightenment. It is marked by a rejection of “objective truth,”
The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms
The Westminster Dictionary of Theological Terms
Mark 8:29 ESV
29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.”
In both clauses of 8:29, the pronoun you is second-person plural, making this a general question placed before the disciples as a group.
This is one of the most demanding questions that can ever asked.
Wrong answer means Hell right answer means heaven
This is one of the most dramatic revelations ever made.
My ability to fully Grasp the Identity of Christ is a non negotiable
This is the First time any human make this confession
The father makes this confession at baptism
The demons say it repeatedly
Jesus Christ, Savior—Messiah: most men do not object to the idea of a Messiah, that is, a deliverer, savior, provider, and protector. Most men want a leader who is going to bring about a utopian society that will provide social justice and plenty for everyone. What men want is a Messiah who fits into the wants and passions and power structures of their world. Men want their bellies full, their bodies clothed and housed, and their urges satisfied. They want the good things of this world. If a Messiah can give these, then men are ready and willing to accept the Messiah. Jesus deliberately set out to make sure that the disciples saw Him as God’s Messiah and not man’s Messiah. He had to make sure they understood God’s way of salvation and utopia, that God was after victory over death and a life that lasted eternally, not just for seventy or so years. God’s Messiah and salvation was not man’s way of power and pleasure; it was not leaving the future to take care of itself
Christ—Messiah: the word for “Christ” and “Messiah” is the same word: Christos. Messiah is the Hebrew word, and Christ is the Greek word. Both words refer to the same Person and mean the same thing: the Anointed One. The Messiah is the Anointed One of God. Matthew says that Jesus “is called Christ” (); that is, He is recognized as the Anointed One of God, the Messiah Himself.
In the day of Jesus Christ, people feverishly panted for the coming of the long-promised Messiah. The weight of life was harsh, hard, and impoverished. Under the Romans, people felt that God could not wait much longer to fulfill His promise. Such longings for deliverance left the people gullible. Many arose who claimed to be the Messiah and led the trusting followers into rebellion against the Roman State. The insurrectionist, Barabbas, who was set free in the place of Jesus at Jesus’ trial, is an example
The Messiah was thought to be several things:
1. Nationally, He was to be the leader from David’s line who would free the Jewish state and establish it as an independent nation, leading it to be the greatest nation the world had ever known.
2. Militarily, He was to be a great military leader who would lead Jewish armies victoriously over all the world.
3. Religiously, He was to be a supernatural figure straight from God who would bring righteousness over all the earth.
4. Personally, He was to be the One who would bring peace to the whole world.
Jesus Christ accepted the title of Messiah on three different occasions (; ; ). The name Jesus shows Him to be man. The name Christ shows Him to be God’s anointed, God’s very own Son. Christ is Jesus’ official title. It identifies Him officially as:
⇒ Prophet (. See note— for verses and fulfillment.)
⇒ Priest (. See DEEPER STUDY # 1— for verses and fulfillment.)
⇒ King (. See note— for verses and fulfillment.)
These officials were always anointed with oil, a symbol of the Holy Spirit who was to perfectly anoint the Christ, the Messiah (; ; ; ).
Mark 6:3 ESV
3 Is not this the carpenter, the son of Mary and brother of James and Joses and Judas and Simon? And are not his sisters here with us?” And they took offense at him.
John 1:10 ESV
10 He was in the world, and the world was made through him, yet the world did not know him.
John 1:11 ESV
11 He came to his own, and his own people did not receive him.
John 8:19 ESV
19 They said to him therefore, “Where is your Father?” Jesus answered, “You know neither me nor my Father. If you knew me, you would know my Father also.”
1 John 4:3 ESV
3 and every spirit that does not confess Jesus is not from God. This is the spirit of the antichrist, which you heard was coming and now is in the world already.
1 John 2:22 ESV
22 Who is the liar but he who denies that Jesus is the Christ? This is the antichrist, he who denies the Father and the Son.
1 John 2:23 ESV
23 No one who denies the Son has the Father. Whoever confesses the Son has the Father also.
Your confession concerning Jesus Christ is a matter of life or death (, ; ; ). The citizens of Caesarea Philippi would say, “Caesar is lord!” That confession might identify them as loyal Roman citizens, but it could never save them from their sins and from eternal hell. The only confession that saves us is “Jesus is Lord!”
Romans 10:9 ESV
9 because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved.
Romans 10:10 ESV
10 For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved.
1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 152). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
1 Corinthians 12:3 ESV
3 Therefore I want you to understand that no one speaking in the Spirit of God ever says “Jesus is accursed!” and no one can say “Jesus is Lord” except in the Holy Spirit.
He asked the disciples to give their own evaluation of who He was. The answer every person gives to this question will determine his or her eternal destiny.
He asked the disciples to give their own evaluation of who He was. The answer every person gives to this question will determine his or her eternal destiny.
The Christ: the Messiah; the anointed One of God (see DEEPER STUDY # 1— for discussion).
The Christ: the Messiah; the anointed One of God (see DEEPER STUDY # 1— for discussion).
2. The Son of God: of the same being, the same substance; One with the Father (see notes—; ; Ph. 2:6).
3. Living: the source and being of life; possessing the source, energy, and power of life within Himself (see DEEPER STUDY # 2—; note—1:4–5; DEEPER STUDY # 1—17:2–3. See ; for discussion and application.)
MacArthur, J., Jr. (Ed.). (1997). The MacArthur Study Bible (electronic ed., p. 1477). Nashville, TN: Word Pub.
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 153). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
Mark 8:30 ESV
30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.
Don’t run with just part of the message
Messiah—Messiahship—Study: the disciples had a great need to learn about God’s Messiah. Note: Jesus instructed the disciples not to share their confession with anyone else—not now. Why? Because they were just beginning to learn what God’s idea of the Messiah really meant. They had to know the truth and be accurate in their preaching of the truth before they began to share. They could do irreparable harm by spreading a false concept of the Messiah. Jesus had to protect them against this error.
Messiah—Messiahship—Study: the disciples had a great need to learn about God’s Messiah. Note: Jesus instructed the disciples not to share their confession with anyone else—not now. Why? Because they were just beginning to learn what God’s idea of the Messiah really meant. They had to know the truth and be accurate in their preaching of the truth before they began to share. They could do irreparable harm by spreading a false concept of the Messiah. Jesus had to protect them against this error.
Thought 1. Confession is just the beginning of our spiritual journey. There is much to study and learn about Christ after coming to know Him personally. Note two things.
1) We must be accurate in what we study. We must make sure we learn the truth and not error (see outline and notes—).
2) We must be accurate in what we share, making certain that we share the truth. This necessitates time to study and grow before we begin sharing.
1 Peter 2:2 ESV
2 Like newborn infants, long for the pure spiritual milk, that by it you may grow up into salvation—
1 Peter 2:3 ESV
3 if indeed you have tasted that the Lord is good.
Acts 20:32 ESV
32 And now I commend you to God and to the word of his grace, which is able to build you up and to give you the inheritance among all those who are sanctified.
2 Timothy 2:15 ESV
15 Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.
2 Peter 3:18 ESV
18 But grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. To him be the glory both now and to the day of eternity. Amen.
Mark 8:31 ESV
31 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.
This was the First of Three explicit pronouncements concerning His death
At this point Jesus launched a new stage. He began to indoctrinate them into the way of God’s Messiah, for God’s Messiah was not man’s messiah
A new stage was being launched. He revealed with a powerful thrust that the “Son of the living God” was going to be killed and raised again from the dead. Never before had this happened. Never again would it happen. History would be made
Jesus had been telling His disciples about His death and resurrection for some time. But they had not understood. First, the idea of a suffering Messiah differed radically from their own idea of the Messiah
And second, the revelation had been hidden in pictures and symbols.
John 2:19 ESV
19 Jesus answered them, “Destroy this temple, and in three days I will raise it up.”
John 3:14 ESV
14 And as Moses lifted up the serpent in the wilderness, so must the Son of Man be lifted up,
John 6:51 ESV
51 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. If anyone eats of this bread, he will live forever. And the bread that I will give for the life of the world is my flesh.”
The difference now was that Jesus no longer spoke in pictures and symbols. He told them in simple and direct words (; ). A new stage in the revelation of God’s plan for the world was now to take place: God’s Son was to die and be raised again for the sins of the world. God’s plan for saving the world was to take place through a suffering Messiah, not a conquering Messiah. God’s Messiah was not going to deliver a materialistic world into the hands of His followers. Contrariwise, He was to die, and His death was to usher in the Kingdom of God, making it possible for His followers to live eternally in the very presence of God Himself
The words “must [dei] suffer” are strong. “Must” is constraint, an utter necessity
It was absolutely necessary by the very nature of the case for Jesus to suffer. God is love and man is corruptible, so God, in love, must provide salvation for man. But God is also just, so He must provide salvation in such a way that justice will be done. The penalty must be paid; death must be carried out. Some Ideal Man must die for man so that His Ideal Death can stand for and cover all men (see notes, Son of Man—; Justification—). There is only One Ideal Man: Jesus, the Son of God. The Son of God must become the Son of Man, the Ideal Man:
⇒ He must live a perfect life providing for the world the Ideal Righteousness or Ideal Life.
⇒ He must die, providing for the world the Ideal Death.
⇒ He must arise from the dead, providing for the world the Ideal Resurrection
Mark 8:32 ESV
32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
They have doubts and fears about the plan not about the person
Note the word “openly” (parresia). It means plainly, unmistakably, frankly, without hesitation
Natural man rejects God’s Messiah. He rebels at the idea of the cross. He wants another way other than the cross.
Peter could accept Jesus as the Son of the living God, but not as the Suffering Savior
Such an idea was repulsive and unacceptable to him. Therefore, he tried to stop the idea. Peter did two things.
a. “Peter took Him” (proslabomenos). The Greek is strong. It means caught hold. Peter took hold and grabbed Jesus. Peter bodily took Jesus aside for a conference.
b. Peter “began to rebuke [epitiman] Him.” This again is strong. It is not just a wish, but a forcible attempt to stop the idea of the Suffering Savior: “This shall not be unto thee.
This must not and cannot happen to you.” God forbid is the equivalent idea. Peter was out to stop the cross.
He was urging Jesus to be the Messiah of power, fame, and sensation that the Jews were expecting
Peter was urging Jesus to follow his own human schemes instead of God’s way. And by such, he was tempting Jesus with the very same compromises that Satan used to tempt Jesus, the compromises of power, fame, and sensations ().
Peter was zealous for God, but He was mistaken and ignorant in his zeal. He did not understand that God was planning to save the world through the death of His Son (see note, pt. 3—).
Peter’s behavior is the way of the world. It is the natural, carnal mind. Man just rebels and recoils against the idea of a Suffering Savior who dies for the sins of the world, a Suffering Savior who demands the same sacrifice and denial of His followers. Such an idea is unacceptable and repulsive.
Thought 1. The natural man’s idea of God and of God’s plan for man is seen in three concepts.
1) Some think the path of life is an indulgent love. God is seen as a giving, loving, indulgent grandfather type of person. He is seen as One who tolerates (and rewards by accepting) even the worst behavior, no matter how much human suffering and devastation is wrought by the hands of a person. To think of the cross and the blood of Christ as an emblem of suffering is repulsive. The cross is viewed only as an emblem of love, not of sin and shame. The way of love is thought to be the path of life that man is to follow.
2) Some think that comfort and pleasure are the path of life and God’s way. God again is viewed only as an indulgent grandfather type. His will for man is to have the good life of things: comfort and pleasure, ease and plenty, health and leisure. And again the cross is only an emblem of love and care for the world, not of suffering and sacrifice and self-denial. Its shame and pain and agony and its purpose of reconciling a world lost in sin and depravity are denied.
Some feel that triumph, victory, power, and reigning supreme are God’s way. This was the idea of most Jews in Christ’s day. It was Peter’s concept of the Messiah
Applying man’s ideas to his own emotional and mental state of being, as well as to his physical and material being, is revealing. The ideas show how some view the concepts of Self-Image, Self-Improvement, and Personality Development as being God’s plan and path for man. Again, the idea of suffering and sacrifice and self-denial is rejected.
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 155). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
Mark 8:33 ESV
33 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.”
God’s Messiah Vs. Man’s Messiah
Natural man is of Satan. The literal meaning of the name Satan is Adversary (see DEEPER STUDY # 1—).
Calling Peter “Satan” was stern, yet such sternness was necessary. Peter was tempting Christ with the very same temptation Jesus had faced in the wilderness
When a man refuses to accept God’s plan for life, he becomes an adversary to God. He opposes God’s will. In essence the man says that he knows what is best; he is wiser than God.
Natural man sets his mind on material things, not on the things of God. The words “thou savorest not” (ou phroneis) mean to think, to mind. Peter did not have his mind, his thinking, in line with God’s mind and thoughts. His tastes were different from God’s tastes. Peter’s thoughts and tastes were worldly and self-pleasing, not spiritual and not pleasing to God. He was using human reasoning, not God’s reasoning. The death of God’s Son by shedding His blood for the sins of the world was distasteful to Peter. In his mind such a concept was unfit for God.
Leadership Ministries Worldwide. (1996). The Gospel according to Mark (p. 156). Chattanooga, TN: Leadership Ministries Worldwide.
Jesus was tempted to bypass God’s will for His life. And note: the temptation came from a disciple. We are often tempted to bypass God’s will, and unfortunately, the temptation often comes from friends!
One minute Peter was a “rock,” and the next minute he was a stumbling block!
1 Peter 4:13 ESV
13 But rejoice insofar as you share Christ’s sufferings, that you may also rejoice and be glad when his glory is revealed.
Romans 8:5 ESV
5 For those who live according to the flesh set their minds on the things of the flesh, but those who live according to the Spirit set their minds on the things of the Spirit.
Romans 8:6 ESV
6 For to set the mind on the flesh is death, but to set the mind on the Spirit is life and peace.
Romans 8:7 ESV
7 For the mind that is set on the flesh is hostile to God, for it does not submit to God’s law; indeed, it cannot.
Mark 8:34 ESV
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
The Cost of True Discipleship
Jesus laid down three conditions for true discipleship:
Deny Myself (1) we must surrender ourselves completely to Him;
True Discipleship is to no longer associate with who I am My will, My Ambition, My Agenda, My Own Plan
True Discipleship is
Self Denial : Is to Disown, refuse, Disassociate with, to refuse to companion.
Mark 8:34 ESV
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
(2) we must identify with Him in suffering and
death;
True Discipleship is the idea of identifying with Christ by taking up my own personal cross which is suffering rejection, persecution , reproach and shame
death;
Denying self is not the same as self-denial. We practice self-denial when, for a good purpose, we occasionally give up things or activities. But we deny self when we surrender ourselves to Christ and determine to obey His will
This once-for-all dedication is followed by a daily “dying to self” as we take up the cross and follow Him. From the human point of view, we are losing ourselves, but from the divine perspective, we are finding ourselves. When we live for Christ, we become more like Him, and this brings out our own unique individuality.
Mark 8:34 ESV
34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.
True Discipleship is the ability follow Him obediently, wherever He leads.
death; and (3) we must follow Him obediently, wherever He leads.
This once-for-all dedication is followed by a daily “dying to self” as we take up the cross and follow Him. From the human point of view, we are losing ourselves, but from the divine perspective, we are finding ourselves. When we live for Christ, we become more like Him, and this brings out our own unique individuality.
Mark 8:35 ESV
35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.
True Discipleship is understanding preserving my life for me only loses it, but losing it for Jesus preserves my life.
One who decides to maintain a self-centered life in this world by refusing Jesus’ requirements () will ultimately lose his life to eternal ruin. Conversely a person who will “lose” (give over, “deny himself”) his life (even literally, if necessary) in loyalty to Jesus and the gospel (cf. 10:29) by accepting His requirements (8:34) will actually preserve it forever
Mark 8:36 ESV
36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul?
Mark 8:37 ESV
37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?
There is nothing worth gaining in comparison to my soul
Mark 8:38 ESV
38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
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