March 8 - Gospel

Second Sunday in Lent

Mark 8:31-38

'If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me' Mark 8:34

Peter has responded to Jesus question "Who do you say that I am?" with an emphatic "You are the Messiah". For Peter that meant Jesus as God's anointed, the one to restore the fortunes of Israel and rebuild David's kingdom. For Jesus to talk of his suffering and death was not only uncomfortable, but also ridiculous. Surely it could not be God's plan to deliver his people by having the Deliverer killed!

Peter took Jesus aside and told him so. Peter effectively told Jesus that he should stop talking such nonsense.
Jesus put Peter straight publicly - even using such strong words as "Get behind me Satan!" Such words must have stung Peter, and certainly would have scared the disciples who heard them uttered.

It would not be surprising if Peter were the spokesperson for the others. He was after all the prominent disciple, and the one most likely to express his thoughts.


Jesus turned his attention "the crowd with the disciples"(NIV). Mark's use of terms suggests that they were not just 'crowds' but a large group who also opted to tag along with Jesus and the disciples. These were interested inquirers, people who had come past the mere curiosity stage to the point where they were learning more about Jesus and his teaching, and may have been considering their response to him. For Mark the term disciples, at this stage anyway, appears to be reserved for the Twelve. These were people who were interested, but not yet committed to the same degree that the disciples were.

To them, and now to us, Jesus issued a challenge - "If you want to be my followers, you must deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow me." (8:34)

Deny yourself! Not easy words in the developed world where individualism is rampant. It's all about me, and if I don't get my way it isn't fair....
Not easy words in the East, where family and honour are ingrained in the psyche. There it might mean separation from family and from those on whom you depend, or who depend on you! Not easy words at any time or in any place.
The paradoxical statement about saving your life and losing it challenges us still. Losing our lives for the sake of the gospel...martyrdom, loss of independence, giving up of dreams, ending of hopes, offering our future into another's hands...it is the way of salvation. And salvation is for here and now, and for the 'ever after'. Salvation includes peace, prosperity, security, health, family and future. It is an all-embracing concept - and it includes life with purpose and meaning. This is what Jesus offers. Yet we must be prepared to risk all we have and all we are if we are to be 'saved'.

Here is the choice. Trust our lives into the hands of Christ - or go our own way.

Jesus did not offer any soft options either. Here he used the image of the cross, the Roman instrument of capital punishment. Rebel against their rule and you were likely to find yourself strung up on one, to die a slow and agonising death. Those who hard these words would have seen rebels left hanging on crosses as a warning to others of the folly and results of rebellion. Jesus placed this stark choice before them...if you want to follow me you must be prepared to die. Interestingly enough that was what might await rebels who sought to restore the kingdom of David.

Jesus made it patently obvious that following him as not going to be easy - it demands our whole lives. Following Jesus is not all plain sailing, material blessings, and only happiness. But to follow Jesus will bring eternal rewards and present rewards that cannot be measured in material terms. Not to follow Jesus, to choose 'the whole world' as your profit will never lead to satisfaction, the profit will never be enough.

During this time of Lent we reflect on what Jesus gave up for us, and on the choices that Jesus lays before us if we follow him.

Lord, help us to listen to what you have to say about our choices, and to be ready to say NO to self interest and comfort, and YES to what You desire of us.