Simple one note message. We're just gonna walk through the story and see if we can make sense of it. Mark's story is important to put into context to understand what's going on here.. The disciples have seen and experienced some mind-blowing things. They're on a spiritual high. Jesus senses it, so he asks them who people think he is. Then he asks them, "Who do you say that I am?" Peter stands up and says that Jesus is the Christ. And what he means by that is Jesus is going to liberate Israel from Roman occupation.

Then Jesus talks about how he's going to suffer and die. Peter rebukes him (a bold move on his part!). Jesus rebukes him back. A little friendly fire between friends. In reality, Jesus is shattering their preconceived notions about who God is and who God's messiah was supposed to be.

Jesus says, "If you're going to follow me - take up your cross. Lose your life to save it." Sounds crazy - sounds counterintuitive. But in reality - it's not. You can't have life without death. This i's how God designed the world to be.

Bottom line - following Jesus means we give of ourselves for the good of the larger human community. How does that play itself out in our lives?

Simple - maybe a little shorter than normal. But it's all good.

Speaker: Aaron Vis

Scripture: Mark 8:31-38

http://bible.com/events/49222934