Following Jesus in the Gospel of MarkSampl

WHO DO YOU SAY THAT I AM?

Look Closely: Today’s reading is a turning point in the gospel of Mark. All the teachings and miracles that the disciples have witnessed have raised the question, who is Jesus? With Peter’s announcement that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, the teachings of Jesus take an unexpected turn. The disciples are about to find out that proclaiming Jesus as the Christ is not the conclusion but only the beginning.

-What does Peter mean when he says that Jesus is the “Christ”? (Try to answer that without including what you now know about Jesus as a Christian.)

-Why does Jesus follow up the announcement that He is the Christ with what He says in verse 31?

-How was Peter setting his mind on the things of man?

-Why does Jesus call Peter Satan?

Challenge:

-Who do you say that Jesus is? (Don’t skim past this!)

-Reflect on some of the personal expectations of Jesus that caused disappointment for you.

-In what ways do you need to realign your expectations of Jesus according to “the things of God?”

-Identify some actions that you can take to help see situations through the eyes of God.

Pause to Pray: Dear Jesus, You are the Christ, the Savior of the world. I confess to You that I have been setting my mind on the things of man by...(Fill in with your words). Please forgive me. Help me to have the mind of God and to see every situation through Your eyes. Help me to understand what Your purposes are and help me to desire them more than my own. Amen.