This Sunday's Text

27 Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, "Who do the people say I am?"
28 "Some say 'John the Baptizer,' " they said. "Others say 'Elijah.' Still others say 'one of the prophets.' "
29 He then asked, "And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?"
Peter gave the answer: "You are the Christ, the Messiah."
30 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. 31 He then began explaining things to them: "It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive." 32 He said this simply and clearly so they couldn't miss it.
But Peter grabbed him in protest. 33 Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. "Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works."
34 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, "Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You're not in the driver's seat; I am. Don't run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I'll show you how. 35 Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. 36 What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? 37 What could you ever trade your soul for?
38 "If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I'm leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you'll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels."
Mark 8:27-38 (MSG)

Couple of things that jump out at first glance.

- Why the call to secrecy?
- Peter actually laid hands on Jesus?
- Jesus really knows how to get people to focus
- And He's very confrontational at times.
- "You're not in the driver's seat - I am."
- "Self help is no help at all." (Don't tell Oprah and Dr. Phil)
- Where's the passive "I just believe" Christianity I hear about all the time?
- "Fickle and unfocused" as opposed to rooted and driven by love for Christ

I'll keep dropping more here as I run across it.

Prayer for Today

Most Holy God
Father
Who waited for me so many years
Who raced to meet me when I turned in repentance
Who patiently gave your love as I opened to the ability to accept it.
Hear my prayer.

Oh Omnipotent Spirit
Wind
Who rushed hope into me
Who encouraged me and guided me on
Who continues to confront, to instruct, to inspire
Hear my prayer

My Sovereign Lord
Jesus
Who died for my sins
Who touched my leprous heart and made it new
Whose words and example are my pathway for life
Hear my prayer

I come to Ash Wednesday knowing
that I could not stand before Your judgment even now
after decades of being known as a Christian
except that the blood of the sinless One
had not covered my sins

Yet I come here aware
that when I entered into the embrace of my Lord and Savior
I was forgiven
for
He makes all things new.

He is so good to me.

So Abba, take the offering of these Lenten Days
make them a time when my prayers for more of You are less hindered
by my sins and failings
and when I find myself each day desperately seeking
more time
with You.

Amen

Lenten Reading

I believe in Jesus,
who rose from the river
to see heaven opened
to the Spirit falling and the Father calling:
"I love you."

I believe in Jesus,
who walked to the desert
to be tried and tempted
with the Spirit leading and the devil calling:
"If you are"

I believe in Jesus
who stayed 40 days there
as he prayed and fasted
with his guts hurting and his breath smelling
"Turn these stones"

I believe in Jesus
who went with the devil
to be offered power
with the wild beasts roaring and the angels chanting
"Worship God"

I believe in Jesus
who looked down upon the city,
with a fear of falling
with the angels watching and the hard earth waiting
"It is written"

I believe in Jesus
truly God, truly human,
who was sorely tempted
with the same temptations we all are facing
"Yet without sin."

written by Doug Gay