Mark 8:22 – 9:1 Suffering with Jesus

Suffering with Jesus > Mark 8:22-9:1 8:22-26 Seeing but not seeing. Just as the blind man sees only partially at first, but later fully, so will the disciples begin to see more clearly who Jesus the Messiah is and what that means for him and for them. 8:27-30 Seeing Christ. Jesus challenges the disciples to decide for themselves who he is. Peter, speaking for the group, answers correctly: Jesus is the Christ. 8:31-33 Seeing but not seeing (again). Yet, even though Peter’s answer is right, his understanding of what that means is wrong – completely opposite of what Christ means, in fact! 8:34-9:1 Following Christ. Rather than dreams of power and wealth, Jesus teaches that just as the Messiah must suffer, so too will those who follow him. Yet the cost will be more than worth it: what is gained in following Christ is more than this world could ever offer. The Point: Disciples are those who trust Jesus and show that trust through following him by faith – committing to him even though it is costly in terms of this life. Prayer: Lord, make us as those who both see Jesus clearly and respond to him faithfully. Teach us to value what you say is most valuable: not this life, but the gospel; not gain in the here and now, but gain in Jesus for our eternal soul. Application: Trust Jesus as he is, not as you want him to be. Count following him as worth your all. Here is how I will apply these truths: ___________________ __________________________________________________