Jesus taught that all scripture testifies about him so that in him we might have life (John 5v39-40). King David taught that it is only by living according to God's word that we're kept on the right path (Psalm 119v9). What then could be better than reading the entire Bible? Click the menu to read about the program, choose a month or Bible book - or just work through the blog posts day by day.
BEGIN WITH PRAYER
"Lord open my eyes and my heart."
Read slowly so that you take in. And as you do, turn your heart to God, thanking him for the good you discover and praying his will home for you, your family, your church and the world.
Understanding to grow in
Peter finally sees. But as with the healing of v22-26, at first he sees only partially. He grasps Jesus is the God's Messiah. It means "anointed one" and refers to the king that the Old Testament prophets promised would be anointed with God's Spirit, and would therefore reign in perfect righteousness and justice as mighty God and prince of peace, and whose kingdom would span the earth and last forever (Is 9v6-7. 11v1-9). But what Peter cannot accept is that this king had come to be rejected and die. And by rebuking Jesus for teaching this, he is acting for Satan in tempting Jesus not to go through the very act by which he would achieve his kingly victory, redeeming people to be subjects of his coming kingdom. For this reason, Jesus is adamant that any undermining of the significance of the cross is not to have in mind "the concerns of God" but "the concerns of man." Muslim's believe Jesus was only a prophet. But even they say that he couldn't have died on a cross because that would be too humiliating. And some within the church are provoked at the idea that Jesus had to be punished on the cross to satisfy the demands of God's justice towards sin. Yet both views reflect mere human ways of thinking. Both miss the fact that Jesus' cross-work is his greatest glory. His readiness to take our place there shows like nothing else his great love for us, and God's great commitment to justice. But to accept this is also to accept that discipleship is about following the way of the cross. It is to reject teachings that suggest the Christian life should be one that is free of suffering. Rather, it recognizes that it is as the Christian suffers that they display God's glory too - especially as, in his power, they show themselves unashamed of the gospel and ready to share it whatever the cost (8v35-38). And what should comfort them as they suffer is the event that follows Peter's declaration. On the mountain Jesus is transformed into his heavenly likeness, proving he is indeed the Messiah and giving a foretaste of our own destiny. Moreover, God the Father speaks. And the one thing he has to say is "listen to him!" - as even Moses and Elijah, God's greatest spokesmen, are ready to do. In context, that means listen particuarly to what Jesus has said about the cross. Just as John the Baptist patterned on Elijah was killed (9v13, 6v27), so Jesus will be. And his followers must be ready to be also. For "whoever loses his life for [Jesus] and the gospel will save it" (8v37). As you read consider how you might be called to suffer for Jesus.
Mark 8:27-9:13
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
Finish this reading by pausing to ask yourself:
1) What’s the main thing it teaches me about God or his purposes in Christ? Then praise him for this.
2) What’s the main thing it teaches me about his will for me or the world? Then pray that home.
Devotion to offer up
You could read this aloud and perhaps as a springboard to further prayer.