Mark 8b Commentary
We want to tell everyone about Jesus. Aren’t we in breach of the instruction here: “Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him”? Mark 8 verse 30. This is where context becomes everything – the context of this section and also the context of Mark within the setup of the gospels.
In a narrow sense, you would guess the LORD Jesus knows the disciples don’t understand what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah. They must learn, hence the following lecture based on Isaiah’s version of the Messiah – the suffering Servant.
As we suspected, Peter’s version is totally wrong. Yes, it is a Ferrari but no engine yet! Don’t take it to the market just now. The product is not ready! It remains a warning to preachers that we must have the right picture of the Messiah.
“Get behind me, Satan!” This is yet another moment and an appearance of satan to try and tempt or test the LORD Jesus. He gets it. Resisted and rebuked. Peter had hosted the adversary’s thoughts. Both the host and the guest get it.
We also get it. Not every misconception is a human error. Not every misinterpretation of scripture is a “slip of the brain”. Atheism isn’t an innocent thought generated by an innocent brain – or even an advanced brain. May the LORD rebuke satan for the thoughts that malign the significance of the gospel!
Lesson 1 is complete. Now we know what it means for Jesus to be the Messiah. Now lesson 2 comes up. What does it mean for the saved or to be saved? Do we have another twist? If the saint has to resist satan, what will it be for? This chapter defines Christianity for us.
“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
That is Christianity!
Did we see it that way? Does the LORD have to repeat the healing rituals for us to see clearly? Who is Jesus? Who are we, the saved?
What a chapter!
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