Mark 8:27-35
Lead in: “Who am I?”, Jesus asks in Mark 8. Peter gets it right, “You are the Messiah, the Christ.” But when he hears Jesus speak of how he will suffer and then be put to death, Peter falters. That’s not the kind of Messiah he wants to follow. So, Peter tries to convince Jesus otherwise, but Jesus will have no part of it. He tells Peter he’s an obstacle in the way.
Prompt: Peter had to move from being an obstacle to being a follower. Reflect on a time when you were more of an obstacle in the way, than a follower on the way.
Lead in: There are times when we mean well, but because we want things to be done our way, we get in the way of what God is trying to do.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when, because you wanted it done your way, you got in God’s way.
Lead in: Peter did not want to follow a Messiah who would suffer because that might mean that he would have to suffer.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you settled for the easy way because the right way demanded too much from you.
Lead in: After Peter tries to talk Jesus out of the path of suffering, Jesus sets the record straight. Calling out to the crowd he says, “Whoever wishes to follow me must take up his cross.” In effect, Jesus was saying, “If you wish to come after me you have to let me lead. You are not in the driver’s seat. I am. Don’t run from suffering. Embrace it. What good would it do to get everything you want, yet lose your very soul?”
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you thought you were following Jesus, but you were still in the driver’s seat.
Lead in: Spiritual writer Sister Gena Visel asserts that ultimate growth in faith means trusting Jesus enough to follow him even when nothing seems to make sense.
Prompt: Reflect on a time when you felt you were following Jesus and doing all the right things, yet nothing seemed to make sense.
