The Life and Ministry of Jesus
And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things, and be rejected by the elders and chief priests and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. He spoke this word openly. Then Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. But when He had turned around and looked at His disciples, He rebuked Peter, saying, “Get behind Me, Satan! For you are not mindful of the things of God, but the things of men.” Mark 8:31–33
It is true that soul-saving salvation could only come through a suffering Messiah. There was no other way. Why were the disciples rejecting Jesus as a suffering Messiah? Because the idea was completely out of sync with human reasoning. Who would ever design a method of saving the world that would include disaster, despair, and death?
No one! That is why Israel misinterpreted its own Scriptures which told of the coming suffering Messiah. Natural reason says a Savior must come with position and power! But Jesus said if you think that way, “You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men” 1
Personal Encouragement
Beware. Many churches are taking the things that Jesus has said in His Word and are changing the meaning of His words to validate their own unbiblical behavior. Jesus response is still the same: “Get behind Me, Satan!”
Let this mind be in you which was also in Christ Jesus. Philippians 2:5
Be mindful of God in every situation; you”ll find the solution your looking for.
A Prayer
Lord, forgive me for not yielding to Your Word and Your leadership.
1. Hughes, R. K. (1989). Mark: Jesus, servant and savior. Westchester, IL: Crossway Books.
