In this chapter, a change in Jesus’ ministry begins after Peter’s confession that Jesus is the awaited Messiah.
After Peter’s statement, Jesus shares with the disciples what will happen — suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection. He will teach this three times. I call your attention to the disciples’ response and Jesus’ teaching after their response.
What do you see in Mark 8 that you would like to share with group? Add a comment.
Jesus had just fed the groups of 4000 and 5000 people. The disciples were in the boat arguing because they hardly had any bread. In Mark 8:18, Jesus said, “Don’t you remember anything at all? ” I am convicted about how I’m like that. I’m struggling with my health issues. How easily I forget about Jesus my Shepherd, my Lord, my Overseer, my All and All.
One commentator I read remarked on how Mark’s gospel doesn’t pull any punches when reporting on the disciples. And as you’ve noted Barb, we can’t really stand in the distance thinking what is up with these guys, when we, too, forget, misread, or jump to our own concerns after also seeing Jesus at work.
Reading the parables, I definitely feel like the disciples because I don’t get it a lot of the time!! 🥴
Yes.
If you ever have a question about a particular parable, you can always ask about it here. Might even get a good answer.
😁😁. Thanks Jim!
I can relate to Peter’s admonition. To paraphrase, “Stop talking about suffering! People don’t want to hear that!” And Jesus has such a backwards answer – to save your life you have to lose it. I think back on the times of suffering in my life and while I would NEVER want to go through them again, they definitely worked to grow my faith and maturity in Christ. The truth is, there will always be suffering in life and clinging to our own life won’t make that suffering disappear. It is only with the Holy Spirit we are able to endure with joy and see fruit in the end. But I’m also glad that he keeps my future sufferings from me until the right time – I still don’t want to hear about it!