40 DAYS in the GOSPEL Sample

WE DON’T SUFFER ALONE

"And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer..." (Mark 8:31)

In Mark 8, we have seen a miracle—the eyes of a blind man opened. And we have a breakthrough—Peter declares who Jesus really is at last. Jesus' instructions after both of these seeming high points, is not what we may have expected. He tells those involved to keep it to themselves.

I (Josiah) have a few people in my life that I do not consult in certain situations. I know they are speaking from deep experience, and they are not going to just give me the answer that happens to be popular at this particular time. If I don’t ask them, then I can go on for a little while believing that the easy and popular way will get me where I want to go.

Jesus was always a living example of this. Whenever He performed mighty deeds of healing and demonic deliverance, the people wanted to shout His name everywhere so that He would become famous, and His cause could move forward. Makes sense if the rush and momentary favor of the crowd is what you are looking for. Jesus knew better. Jesus knew He was looking at the same crowd that would soon call for His crucifixion. That’s why, at very key moments, He told some to keep His power and true identity to themselves for now.

Was this because He really didn’t want anyone to know? That cannot be, since by His own words we know that his entire life was bent towards showing people who His Father was and what the Kingdom of God was all about. It was because Jesus was following a deeper way—the way of the cross. He makes this plain to His followers in verses 34-38 of our text. He knew His Father would make Him known at the right time, in the right way. Let’s not forget that you and I are called to this way of the cross as well.

As a follower of Jesus, it can be difficult when His gospel sets us at odds with the culture around us at so many key points. It will encourage us to remember that Jesus is that friend who knows more than we do, and He sees our culture in ways that we can’t yet. He knows some of the popular voices proclaiming His name now and asking for your support for their cause, will be the same voices crying crucify Him when the trend begins to change. So, we keep our eyes on Jesus, which means we keep our eyes on the cross. We know the Father has promised that no one who puts their trust in His Son will ever be put to shame.

PRAY ABOUT IT: Have you been recently isolated or excluded at school, home, or work because you follow the quiet way of the cross? Take those lonely moments to your Father in Heaven because He knows, and He sees you. Ask Him for the same strength that Jesus had to walk these sometimes-lonely paths. If you know a few others going through the same thing, make sure to mention their names as well.