You Are the Messiah

IIT UBF - University Bible Fellowship at IIT

You Are the Messiah

Date: Apr. 3, 2016

Passage

Mark 8:27-38 (ESV)

27 And Jesus 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?” 28 And they told him, “John the Baptist; and others say, Elijah; and others, one of the prophets.” 29 And he asked them, “But who do you say that I am?” Peter answered him, “You are the Christ.” 30 And he strictly charged them to tell no one about him.

31 And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 And he said this plainly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.”

34 And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his soul? 37 For what can a man give in return for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of Man also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

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Daily Bread

Key Verse: 8:35

For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it.

First, who do you say I am? (27-30) People had all kinds of ideas about who Jesus was, thinking he was John, Elijah or a prophet who had returned from the dead. They saw his greatness in that way, but now Jesus asked his disciples, "What about you?" Peter answered correctly: "You are the Messiah." This was the turning point of Jesus' ministry. But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone. He would need to teach them from now what kind of Messiah he is.

Second, the way of Jesus (31-38). Jesus taught his disciples that their Messiah is the Son of Man who would suffer, be killed and then rise again. This is not the way Peter had in mind, so he rebuked Jesus. But Jesus harshly rebuked Peter. He invited the crowd to him and taught them that this is a sinful generation, concerned with saving their lives in this world at the cost of their souls and life itself. But God is concerned with our eternal salvation. He sent Jesus to die for our sin. He calls us to deny our very selves, and to follow the way of Jesus-the way of the cross, which is the way of life.

Prayer: Prayer: Lord, I am only interested in saving myself. Thank you for Jesus, who opens my eyes to life. Help me to follow him.

One Word: Take up your cross and follow Jesus

God’s Wrath and Justice

Revelation 6:1-17

Key Verse: 6:17

for the great day of their wrath has come, and who can stand?”

Today's Question

What does God require from us to escape His anger and curse, which we deserve for our sin?

See answer and references