Mark 8:27-33
27 Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, “Who do the people say I am?”
28 “Some say ‘John the Baptizer,’” they said. “Others say ‘Elijah.’ Still others say ‘one of the prophets.’”
29 He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?”
Peter gave the answer: “You are the Christ, the Messiah.”
30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.” He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it.
32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.”
34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?
Peter blew it as soon as he made it. He didn’t have in mind the things of God.
His vision fell short of what God intended when he sent his Son to call us to live in his kingdom.
What do we have in mind in when you go to church?
To be comforted or disturbed?
sedated or shaken?
assured or challenged?
Are we open to what God wants for us or just what we want?
Too be sure God seeks to comfort us, quiet us in our fears, and assure us of God’s amazing grace.
Jesus, speaking on behalf of God, also calls us to a life of servitude not self satisfaction; sacrifice not comfort. And the mystery is, we find our true selves as we serve and even sacrifice.
Life is not found in consumption; it is found in denying oneself, taking up the cross and following Jesus.
To pray and actually mean
“Thy Kingdom come,” we
must also be able to say
“my kingdoms go.”
Richard Rohr
Prayer for the week: “Lord, may your kingdom come indeed on earth as we strive for peace among all people. Open our eyes to see that our kingdoms may well have to go so your kingdom of love can come. Amen
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