Mark 8:27-38 (NRSV)
Read Mark 8:27-38 on biblegateway.com
Verse 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.
Verse 32He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
Verse 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."
Verse 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.
Verse 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.
Verse 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
Verse 37Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?
Verse 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."
Devotion
But 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.'”
This little parable may help to understand this:
A lily was growing in a lonely place. There were very few flowers there. The soil was poor, and the surroundings had no beauty. But the lily was always content and happy. One day, a little bird came to see the lily and soon they were talking together and became friends. The bird told of the different things which it had seen as it flew around, and talked of the beauty of nature in other places. “You ought to see the country beyond those distant hills, the bird said. "There is a meadow filled with the loveliest flowers and the soil is rich and good.” The lily looked around and longed to get away. From that day it was no longer content. The surroundings appeared so ugly and empty. One day the lily asked, “Dear bird, my friend, please take me with you. I can’t stand being here any longer.” And so the little bird picked the flower and carried it over into the meadow. And there, surrounded by all the lovely flowers the lily withered.
"For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it."
Prayer
Loving Lord Jesus, give us the wisdom to know and celebrate all that you have given us. Keep us grounded when we are tempted to stray. Amen.