Mark 8:31–9:1 (ESV)
Jesus Foretells His Death and Resurrection
31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began
to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”
34
And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the
gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him
will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”
9 And he said to them, “Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste
death until they see the kingdom of God after it has come with power.”
In yesterday’s devotion, I mentioned that Jesus is our Prophet, Priest, and King. We see in today’s reading
where Jesus is a Prophet. Anyone can make a prediction, but Jesus goes out on a limb and foretells his death. Jesus says “the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed,
and after three days rise again.” This is the first time that Jesus has prophesied his death. He will go on to make this claim two more times. Now Peter is bold and goes out on a limb and says never! I am sure that Peter is caught
off guard by Jesus response. Jesus said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.” I’m sure that Peter would have thought “Whhhaaaaaattttt!” The problem
is that Peter doesn’t get it! In fact... no one gets it! Jesus came down from heaven will the sole purpose of dying on the cross. It is part of his plan for Salvation. Peter’s will and God’s will
are two different wills. Jesus came to die for you! So that you can be set free. Jesus opened the doors to heaven so you can get in. Peter did not understand that Jesus had to die and he wants to get in the way of God’s plan
of Salvation. That is why Jesus rebukes Peter in that fashion. Satan is on attack. I ask that you think about the things that you have done in the life and the forgiveness that Jesus brings to you. It is life changing. Don’t
let anything come between You and God. Reflect on this part of today’s reading: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his
life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul?”
I pray: O
Lord, help me to not get in your way. Often we think we know best, but we don’t or can’t see your will and we try to get in your way. Lord be gentle on me and remind me that we pray “Thy will be done” instead of
“My will be done.” Forgive me, teach me, and guide me into your heavenly kingdom. Amen.