Luther Seminary

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Archives for September 13, 2024

Friday, September 13, 2024

Mark 8:27-38 (NRSV)

Read Mark 8:27-38 on biblegateway.com

Verse 27Jesus 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?" Verse 28And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." Verse 29He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." Verse 30And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

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

Christianity has a PR problem. It is impossible to put a positive spin on the statement, “Come join our church and learn how to deny yourself.” There are no books on how to diminish yourself. It just isn’t the American way. There are plenty that tell you how to maximize your potential or how to become your very best self, but self-help books on taking up your cross are rarely to be found.

Which may be why Jesus isn’t popular. Unless, that is, you are sick and tired of keeping up, you have found the pursuit of happiness to end in disappointment, or you have discovered that your very best self is not someone you like. Then the alternative of following Jesus, who welcomes all and offers redemption, sounds pretty good. Losing one’s fake life for the sake of Jesus is actually gaining real life.

Now, how do we market that?

Prayer

Holy God, teach us always the danger of building our lives around the ego. Help us to find in your call to discipleship a way of life that is abundantly filling. Amen.

Brian Malison ’87 M.Div. Retired, Visalia, California


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