Mark 8:31-38 (NRSV)
Read Mark 8:31-38 on biblegateway.com
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
Does it ever seem as if the road you’re traveling on only goes uphill … that the load you’re carrying gets heavier by the minute … that it takes all your strength just to put one foot in front of the other?
When life is hard and the road is long, it’s easy to wonder where is God?. But think for a moment what God promises: Not a life of ease. Not a life of fairness. Not a life of health and wealth and happy endings. Indeed, Christ’s invitation to discipleship is an invitation to a life of sacrificial love.
Part of the paradox of Lent is that somehow we find life in the midst of that cross-bearing. Whatever you take from Jesus’ encounter with Peter, one thing is clear: the road Jesus is walking isn’t easy. It involves risk, suffering, pain, challenge. But it also involves one more thing: companionship. Companionship with Christ, who will be one step ahead of you and will love you always.
Prayer
Jesus, when we hear your call to take up our cross and follow, help us remember that you call us to go only where you have already been, and you promise to be with us. Amen.