2. 15. Follow Me (1)
Mark 8:27 – 9:1
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3. 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

4. 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.

5. 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.

6. 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.

7. 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.

8. 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.

9. 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 ?

10. 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.

11. The True Gospel ... Opportunity of a journey towards God.
This year: A Lenten Experiment
Starts Wednesday Feb 13th.