Mark 8:29 And he asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Christ." English Standard Version (ESV)
Our Pastor Tim spoke from this passage yesterday and focused on Jesus' statement, His call in verse 34 His true disciples to "take up his cross and follow me." In order to truly follow we must first ask the question which Jesus posed to His audience in today's verse.
Pastor Tim noted that this question is asked in 3 of the gospels, Matthew, Mark and Luke. As he said that, it came to mind that the one gospel that did not directly ask the question is the Gospel of John where we find Jesus' seven "I Am" statements. Hearing or reading those "I am" statements should make the reader ask that very question. Is He who He says He is?
"I am the bread of life" (John 6:35,48,51).
"I am the light of the world" (John 8:12).
"I am the door of the sheep"(John 10:7,9).
"I am the good shepherd" (John 10:11,14).
"I am the resurrection, and the life" (John 11:25).
"I am the way, the truth, and the life" (John 14:6).
"I am the true vine" (John 15:1,5).
After having read those statements, what would be your response today to Jesus' question "who do you say I am?" Peter's answer is correct, if that is your answer it will direct the course of your life. May you experience Jesus as the rest of the I am statements and let it be known to others that you feel that way.
In Christ,
Mike
Follow the Verse of the Day blog at http://mikesvotd.blogspot.com
Eph 1:7 In him we have redemption through his blood, the forgiveness of sins, in accordance with the riches of God's grace NIV
Mark 8:28-36Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)
28 They answered Him, "John the Baptist; others, Elijah; still others, one of the prophets."
29 "But you," He asked them again, "who do you say that I am?"
Peter answered Him, "You are the Messiah!"
30 And He strictly warned them to tell no one about Him.
His Death and Resurrection Predicted
31 Then He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, be killed, and rise after three days. 32 He was openly talking about this. So Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him.
33 But turning around and looking at His disciples, He rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind Me, Satan, because you're not thinking about God's concerns, but man's!"
Take Up Your Cross
34 Summoning the crowd along with His disciples, He said to them, "If anyone wants to be My follower, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of Me and the gospel will save it. 36 For what does it benefit a man to gain the whole world yet lose his life?
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