stephen R Harrison

“The One Who Suffered for Us”

“He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again.”

-Mark 8:31

Jesus suffered and died for us. He often reiterated this to his disciples (Mark 8:31, 9:31, 10:33-34). When you’re told something several times, especially by Jesus, you can trust it will happen. The disciples were so confused and fearful about these predictions that Peter pulled Jesus to the side and began to rebuke him for saying these things (Mark 8:32). Rebuking Jesus isn’t the best thing to do at any time. Jesus immediately rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan. You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (v. 33). The disciples were concerned but mostly fearful and reacted in the moment, but Jesus was clear – he must be killed and after three days rise again.

The news of Jesus’ death didn’t seem good – it was the worst news they had ever heard. While they loved Jesus, they misunderstood his teaching.  Peter, the oldest and their leader, was insubordinate in expressing his disapproval of Jesus’ prediction. All the disciples reacted wrongly at this moment. James and John, the sons of thunder, asked for political power (10:32-40), totally not understanding the purpose of Jesus’ words and suffering. Jesus had to suffer and die. It was his destiny. 

What would our reactions have been to Jesus’ words? Would we have rebuked him like Peter or asked for power like James and John? It may be “easy” to say we would have gotten it right on this side of the crucifixion and resurrection. How could those who walked so closely with him be so far from the correct interpretation of his statements? We, too, would have been wrong. We are no wiser than the first disciples. All they could see was the immediate through fleshly eyes. We do the same. 

We need to encounter Jesus, the one with a perfect vision of the purpose of the cross. We must repeatedly remember his suffering and death for our sins.  We need the hope that after three days, he rose again. We need to hear the gospel preached over and over lest we reinterpret it. We need to listen to the hope of the resurrection daily. We need to see we cannot pay for our sins. We do not have a better plan than God sending his Son to die for us. In our sinfulness, we would attempt to capitalize off Jesus if not for his rebuke, teaching, and truth. We desperately need the gospel! May this Lenten season help us accept, understand, and thank God for the suffering of Jesus that led to our salvation.

Questions: 

In what ways have we misunderstood Jesus and his Word?

How does our flesh attempt to exploit God’s grace and mercy?

Prayer:

Jesus, thank you for suffering for our sins. We believe you are the only way to salvation and that you had to die in our place. Help us see the truth of your Word and align our hearts with your will. May we always receive your teaching. In Jesus’ name we pray, Amen.

Read: 

Mark 8:31-38

Action Step:

Think about and pray through these questions:

What Scriptures have you misinterpreted for your benefit? 

How have you wrongly reacted to the truth of the Scripture? 

Write down Scripture examples and allow the Spirit to lead you to truth.