Come Follow the One Who was Sent to Save

Come Follow the One Who was Sent to Save

When Jesus Asks, "Who Do You Say I Am?"

The passage from 8:27 to 9:1 in the Gospel of Mark is a pivotal moment in Jesus' ministry, offering insights into His identity, mission, and the essence of discipleship. It contains one of those moments that gets to the heart of who Jesus is and what it means to follow him.

Peter Recognizes the Messiah

Jesus and his disciples are walking through villages near Caesarea Philippi when he asks them an important question: "Who do people say that I am?" The disciples tell him what they've been hearing—some think he's John the Baptist, others say Elijah, and some say he's one of the prophets. But then Jesus makes it personal, asking, "But who do you say that I am?"

I love how Peter steps forward with such conviction: "You are the Christ." It's a beautiful moment of recognition and faith. But notice how Jesus responds - he warns them not to tell anyone. This might seem strange initially, but so much is happening beneath the surface here.

Foretelling the Path of Suffering

Then Jesus begins teaching them something difficult - that he must suffer, be rejected by the religious leaders, be killed, and rise again after three days. You can feel Peter's love and protective instinct when he takes Jesus aside to rebuke him. But Jesus turns and looks at his disciples, rebuking Peter with those striking words: "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man."

The Call to True Discipleship

This leads to one of Jesus's most challenging teachings. He calls together his disciples and the crowd to tell them, "If you want to follow me, you have to deny yourself and take up your cross." He's saying something profound here—that trying to save your life by avoiding suffering will cause you to lose it but being willing to lose your life for His and the gospel's sake will save it.

Think about how this speaks to our lives today. Sometimes, we, too, struggle with accepting God's path when it differs from our human expectations. Like Peter, we might want to protect ourselves or others from suffering, not seeing God's bigger picture. But Jesus is inviting us into a deeper trust—one that knows true life comes through surrender to God's way, not by clinging to our own plans.

A Glimpse of the Kingdom's Power

Concluding this teaching, Jesus assured them that some standing there would not taste death before witnessing the kingdom of God come with power. This statement has been interpreted in many ways, including referencing the upcoming Transfiguration, where Jesus' divine glory was revealed to a select few disciples, His resurrection, or the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. Each of these events offered a foretaste of the kingdom's power and affirmed Jesus' messianic identity. He's pointing to something magnificent that's already beginning to unfold.

Embracing the Journey of Faith

What touches me most about this passage is how it combines profound truth with personal care. Jesus isn't just making theological statements—he's helping his closest friends understand who he is and what it means to follow him. And he's still helping us understand the same things today.

Let me add a personal invitation that flows from this powerful passage:

So, friend, as you reflect on these words today, I invite you to pause and ask yourself: "Who do I say Jesus is?" Not just intellectually but in the depths of your heart. And what might it look like for you to take one step closer to genuinely following him?

Maybe you've been holding onto something tightly—a plan, a relationship, a dream—and you sense God calling you to open your hands and trust Him with it. Or perhaps there's an act of service or kindness He's been nudging you toward, but fear has been holding you back.

Why not take a moment right now to sit quietly with Jesus? Ask Him to show you what taking up your cross looks like today. It might be as simple as choosing patience when you're frustrated, showing love to someone difficult, or taking a stand for truth when it would be easier to stay silent.

You're not alone on this journey. Jesus walks with you every step of the way, just as He did with those first disciples. What beautiful thing might unfold if you choose to trust Him today?

Your next step of faith, however small it might seem, matters deeply to God. Will you take it with Him?

Blessings,

Donna Chandler