120 likes | 238 Views
15. Follow Me (1). Mark 8:27 – 9:1 p. 931. Continuing in Mark . Central Pivot in the story of Jesus Past 8 chapters: Jesus teaching, healing, casting out demons People divided: Follow Him - OR - Against Him Next few chapters helping disciples understand: His mission and purpose.
E N D
15. Follow Me (1) Mark 8:27 – 9:1 p. 931
Continuing in Mark ... • Central Pivot in the story of Jesus • Past 8 chapters: Jesus teaching, healing, casting out demons • People divided: Follow Him - OR - Against Him • Next few chapters helping disciples understand: • His mission and purpose. • What it looks like to be his follower. • Disciples keep not getting it
1. His Identity • Peter confirms that Jesus is “Messiah” • Jesus brings together number of threads from OT. • First: Promise of Moses – A Prophet to replace him (Deut 18:15) • Associated with Messianic age. • Second: Promise to King David (2 Sam 7:12-13) • Great Davidic King would establish a glorious Kingdom.
1. His Identity ... • Third: The Suffering Servant (Isaiah 53) • Not part of any Messianic expectation • These 3 strands come together in Jesus. • Took a long time for the disciples to realize! • Some personal reflection: • What does it mean that Jesus is both LORD and SAVIOUR? • Hard to hold in right balance.
2. Jesus’ Mission • Jesus must suffer, be rejected and killed. • (then he’ll rise again after 3 days) • Peter “rebukes” him (v 32) • Jesus: “Get behind me, Satan” – worst possible rebuke • The issue is life threatening.
2. Jesus’ Mission ... • Peter displays an attitude common among Christians today. • He thinks that God’s purposes are open to negotiation. • He thinks he can have a say on what God should do. • This is his error ! • God’s will is not open to negotiation.
2. Jesus’ Mission ... • Peter displays an attitude common among Christians today. • He thinks that God’s purposes are open to negotiation. • He thinks he can have a say on what God should do. • This is his error ! • God’s will is not open to negotiation.
2. Jesus’ Mission ... • We think we can tell God what to do. • The reason for Jesus’ rebuke: • “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (v 33) • Are your concerns the concerns of God or merely human concerns ?
The True Gospel ... • Comfortable with Jesus’ mission: • Suffering Messiah is normal for us. • BUT we are prone to being like Peter: • We want to negotiate, not obey. • It robs us of victory in Christ, Shalom, intimacy with God • Incarnation Series (John) – Jesus’ life built on intimacy with Father • We are invited into the same intimacy with God • Romans: “Obedience of faith”. • Faith & Obedience: two sides of the same coin.
The True Gospel ... • Opportunity of a journey towards God. • This year: A Lenten Experiment • Starts Wednesday Feb 13th.