Luther Seminary

A daily devotion brought to you by the alumni of Luther Seminary

Archives for September 14, 2006

Thursday, September 14, 2006

Mark 8:27-38 (NRSV)

Read Mark 8:27-38 on biblegateway.com

Verse 27Jesus went on with his disciples to the villages of Caesarea Philippi; and on the way he asked his disciples, "Who do people say that I am?" Verse 28And they answered him, "John the Baptist; and others, Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets." Verse 29He asked them, "But who do you say that I am?" Peter answered him, "You are the Messiah." Verse 30And he sternly ordered them not to tell anyone about him.

Verse 31Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. Verse 32He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. Verse 33But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

Verse 34He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. Verse 35For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. Verse 36For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Verse 37Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? Verse 38Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

Devotion

“Who do you say that I am?” It’s one thing to consider these words by reading or hearing them. Here’s another: Look at the pictures of Jesus on this web page: http://ocf.org/OrthodoxPage/icons/saviour_in.html. Look into those eyes. Let them stare back at you. Hold the vision and be held by it. Try the question again, “Who do you say that I am?”

At some point the question may be reversed and you may ask Jesus, “Who do you say that I am, Lord?” The exchange of eye contact, even through the medium of a web page, engages the question differently.

Answering the question may not be that important at this point. But look into the eyes with the question at heart, in mind, body, soul and strength. That may be enough for today.

Turn your eyes upon Jesus, look full in his wonderful face, And the things of earth will grow strangely dim, in the light of his glory and grace. – Helen Limmel

Prayer

Dear Lord Jesus, hold me in your gaze and be ever before my eyes. Amen.

Tim Bauer Trinity Lutheran Church, Milaca, Minnesota