Mark 8:31-38
Introduction
At the end of the last study, we saw that the disciples finally understood that Jesus is the Christ - that he is the promised Messiah. But as we will see in this study, they didn’t understand what it meant to be the Messiah and what that would entail.
We also see in this study what the cost of discipleship is.
Bear all of this in mind as we examine today’s passage.
Verse 31
In this verse, Jesus tells the disciples what is going to happen to Him as the Messiah. Jesus calls himself the Son of Man. This title means that Jesus is both God and man. It is also a title given to the Messiah.
As Messiah, Jesus would suffer, be rejected and killed. And then He will rise from the dead. Jesus is not saying that these things might happen to Him; He is saying that they must happen. In other words, Jesus is saying that these things must happen in order for Him to fulfil His purpose as the Messiah.
It is part of God’s plan of salvation that Jesus must suffer, be rejected and be killed. From the foundation of the world, the Father’s plan of salvation determined that the Son of Man must stand in the place of His people. That He must suffer for our wickedness, that He must be rejected by His people and that He must pay the punishment for our sins which is death. In this way He would save His people. It was necessary that Jesus must pay the full penalty for our sins.
God revealed His plan of salvation in the Old Testament scriptures. In particular we see it in the prophets and the psalms. We see this in Isaiah chapter 53. In this chapter, the Father revealed to us how the Messiah would save us. He would be a suffering servant. We also find a description of the crucifixion of Jesus in Psalm 22.
Verses 32 to 33
Notice how Jesus explained what would happen in plain language so that there could be no misunderstanding. But Peter didn’t like what Jesus said and began to rebuke him in private. In Matthew 16:22 we find out what Peter said to Jesus. Peter said, “God forbid it, Lord. This shall never happen to You.”
What in effect is Peter doing when he rebukes Jesus? He is telling the Son of God that He has got it wrong. He wants to stop the Father’s plan of salvation taking place. And he wants to silence Jesus. “You can’t say that”.
Peter reacted the way he did because of the false teaching he had received from the Rabbis about the Messiah. The rabbis taught that the Messiah would be a king, a shepherd, a liberator and a redeemer. All of this was true but it wasn’t the whole truth. They left out all of the messianic prophecies about God’s plan to deal with sin through the Messiah. So, the things that Jesus said in verse 31 came as a complete shock to Peter.
In verse 33 we see Jesus rebuking Peter in front of the other disciples saying something quite shocking. He said “Get behind Me, Satan; for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s.” Jesus said, “Get behind Me, Satan” because Peter was saying what Satan would have said. Remember when Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness. Everything that Satan said was designed to thwart God’s plan of salvation. Like Satan, Peter was trying to stop Jesus from suffering and dying on the cross.
So, what can we learn from the words of Jesus, “for you are not setting your mind on God’s interests, but man’s”? We learn that a godly person is deeply concerned about the things of God. But the godless person has no concern for the things of God. He’s preoccupied with this world. This is one of the ways that we can tell if someone is a true Christian or not. Are they seeking first the kingdom of God and His righteousness? Are you?
Verses 34 to 35
Now Jesus turns to everyone and explains what it takes to follow Jesus. To deny yourself means to reject your selfish inclinations. It means to bring your carnal passions and desires into submission to God’s Word. It means to crucify the flesh. It means to count as loss all earthly gains and instead to become more like Jesus. It is a lifelong pursuit.
And what does it mean to take up your cross and follow Jesus? Remember when Jesus took up His cross and carried it to His place of execution. As He did so he suffered ridicule and shame. He experienced pain and suffering. And after all of that He died.
And so it is for us as we follow Jesus. As we follow Jesus, we too must suffer ridicule and shame. We too must die; die to self. That’s what it means to carry our cross. Are you ready to take up your cross?
Then in verse 35 Jesus presses home the ultimate cost of following Him. Jesus is asking if we are willing to die for Him. If you are more interested in self-preservation, you are not a disciple and you will not have eternal life. But if you die because of your faith in Jesus or because of the Gospel then you have proved that you are a disciple and you will have eternal life.
Verses 36 to 38
Jesus now expands on His teaching about the cost of discipleship. In verses 36 and 37 He talks about it in financial terms. In verse 36 He is warning about the dangers of wealth or riches. You might think you have gained everything but in reality, you have lost everything. Which is more important, wealth or salvation? For the true disciple, His soul is more important than riches. Verse 37 is about selling your soul to the Devil. Remember, Jesus paid with His life for your soul. In verse 38 Jesus is warning people about being ashamed of Him and the Gospel. The world hates Jesus and the Gospel. If we stand up for Jesus we will be mocked and ridiculed. Nevertheless, we must not hide our faith in Jesus.
And Finally
If we are going to follow Jesus, we have to embrace suffering, rejection and death. That is the cost of discipleship.