Following Jesus (Mark 8:27-38)
Sermon Summary
Pastor David Yan
7 June 2020
This subject is considered under three headings: Who is Jesus? What did he do? How will you respond to him?
Who was Jesus? While Jesus was walking with his disciples he posed the question, “Who do men say that I am?”
The question was not asked in a vacuum for Jesus had already made an impact on the multitudes and the disciples were aware of this. People were talking about Jesus. This is a crucial question. Who is Jesus? You cannot avoid a confrontation with him.
Jesus was continually asking the question. The disciples, (we also) are slow learners. Thank God, Jesus deals patiently with slow learners.
There were many opinions among the people as to who Jesus might be. Jesus specifically asked the disciples “but who do you say that I am?” — not the opinion of others, but what did they, the disciples, think of Jesus? Jesus pointedly asks you today, who do you say that he is?
Peter responded to Jesus’s question, “You are the Christ.” Christ means Messiah. Peter was confessing that Jesus was the Messiah — the one promised in the Old Testament.
What did Jesus come to do?
He spoke of his suffering, rejection, death and resurrection and in due time he experienced all these things.
Jesus was foreordained to die. It was necessary that he do so. He came to die on a cross for the sins of his people. He did not fail in what he came to do.
His own people rejected him. The leaders — elders, chief priests and scribes, took the lead and killed their promised Messiah.
Jesus’s work was not immediately understood. Thus Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked him. Peter no doubt dreamed of a conquering Messiah not a suffering one. But Jesus rebukes Peter.
Jesus also rebuked Satan. Jesus’s work was opposed by Satan who has always been in opposition to God’s plan of salvation.
What should you do?
You must deny yourself. This command was not directed only to the disciples but to all the people gathered around Jesus. It includes all of us today. If you are serious about following Jesus you need to deny yourself.
Denying yourself means giving up all your rights. Jesus is our example. He gave up his right to stay in heaven in glory. He gave up his right to live. He came to earth and gave up all rights to Iive a comfortable life.
Not only must you deny yourself but you must take up your cross daily and follow Jesus. This means that, like Jesus, we must endure suffering. We all have trials to bear but God’s grace will carry us through.
You must follow Jesus. When he died he took us with him. When he rose from death he likewise took us with him. Believers are new creations. In Christ you are a new person.
Let go of the things of this world.The most important thing is your soul. What will it profit you if you gain the whole world but lose your soul?
The lesson from Mark 8:27-38 is Jesus is the Messiah and we must follow him. There is no other Messiah. Jesus alone is God’s anointed one — the Christ. Follow him!
To be ashamed of him is to face the prospect of his judgement when he comes in the glory of the Father with his holy angels.