Snapshot19 Mark 8:27-38
Community Group Questions Mark 8:27-33
1. Who do you say Jesus is?
2. Have you ever had a time in life in which you questioned the plans of God?
3. Looking at these five points, which do you have a problem with? Which do you feel you are doing well with?
• Listen to what Jesus says about Himself. John 14:6
• Renew your mind. Rom. 12:2
• Test the teaching. Acts 17:10-11
• Don’t fear man. Psalm 118:6
• Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14-15At the center of his Gospel Mark placed Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Messiah. Up to this point the underlying question had been, “Who is He?” After Peter’s declaration on behalf of the Twelve, Mark’s narrative is oriented toward the Cross and the Resurrection. From now on, the underlying double question was, “What kind of Messiah is He, and what does it mean to follow Him?” This crucial passage is the point to which the first half of the book leads and from which the second half proceeds. MH
Vrs 27 Christ asked them, not that he might be informed, but that they might observe it themselves, and inform one another. The purpose of this question was to prepare them for the more important question. "who do you say that I am?"
We can take something from Jesus' example here when we are talking with others about the Lord. He asks them questions that lead up to the all important question.
The people that we speak with are all at different spiritual levels and there is no prescribed method for witnessing to people but questions are always helpful to open people up.
One of the many reasons I preach the GOSPEL each week no matter what the passage is that it helps all of you learn how to preach the Gospel no matter what the content of the conversation you are having.
Vrs 28 Though the people came short of the truth, yet they were convinced by his miracles that he was an extraordinary person, sent from the invisible world with a divine commission. These three roles John the Baptist, Elijah or one of the Prophets deny Him of His definitive role as the Messiah.
The temptation in life is rely on who other people say Jesus is.
Here are some statements from some famous and infamous people.
“I came under conviction when I was in the third grade, and I talked with my mother. I told her, ‘I don’t understand this, but I need to talk to you.’ We talked, and she led me to Jesus. The following Sunday I made a public confirmation of my faith. In one sense, it was not terribly eventful for an eight-year-old, but it was the most important event in my life.” — John Grisham
“I believe there is no one deeper, lovelier, more sympathetic and more perfect than Jesus – not only is there no one else like him, there never could be anyone like him.” — Dostoevsky
“For thirty five years of my life I was, in the proper acceptation of the word, nihilist, a man who believed in nothing. Five years ago my faith came to me. I believed in the doctrine of Jesus Christ and my whole life underwent a sudden transformation. Life and death ceased to be evil. Instead of despair, I tasted joy and happiness that death could not take away.” — Leo Tolstoy
“If Christ were here now there is one thing he would not be ‘a Christian’.” — Mark Twain
“There couldn’t possibly be just one way . . .” [Lady in the audience: "What about Jesus?"] “What about Jesus? . . . Does God care about your heart or does God care about if you call his son Jesus?” — Oprah Winfrey
“Jesus was the first socialist, the first to seek a better life for mankind.” — Mikhail Gorbachev
Vrs 29 But "who do you say that I am" Peter acting as the disciples spokes person. "You are the Christ"
This is the question every person must answer.
Vrs 30 Don't open your mouth unless you have it right.
William Lane in his commentary says on this verse "In the first century the crucial question concerned the function of the Messiah, and it was at this point that Jesus' teaching stood in radical opposition to contemporary expectations"
Warren Weirsbe states "Like most orthodox Jews, the Twelve believed that their Messiah would come in power and glory and defeat their enemies, not be defeated by their enemies."
Jesus knew He is God’s Anointed One (cf. 9:41; 14:62), so He accepted Peter’s declaration as correct. However, because of the disciple’s misunderstandings (cf. 8:32-33), He commanded silence (cf. 1:44) until He could explain that as Messiah it was necessary for Him to suffer and die in obedience to God’s will BKC
Peter and the other disciples recognized that Jesus was the Messiah but did not realize what the Messiah had to do.
At this point Jesus will begin to teach...
Vrs 31 The core of the GOSPEL This is the first time in the Gospel in which Jesus clearly teaches about His suffering, death and resurrection.
Vrs 32 Peter's lack of understanding about what the Father's plan Jesus was sparked His rebuke of Jesus.
Sometimes we don't like the plans of God.
Joke about women in the hospital "I didn't recognize you"
How often do we rebuke the Lord because we don't like His plans for us?
How often do we rebuke the Lord because we don't understand the plans He has for us?
Vrs 33 Jesus' rebuke of Peter. This rebuke was intended for all the disciples. It was not that Jesus was calling Peter Satan but He was attributing his line of thinking to something that was influenced by demonic powers & man and not by God.
Setting your mind on the things of God.
-Listen to what Jesus says about Himself. I AM...John 14:6
-Renew your mind: Rom 12:2a Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewal of your mind.
-Test whatever those who teach you by the Scriptures. (Bereans) Acts 17:10-11
-Don't fear man fear Jesus. Psalm 118:6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me?
"Man’s way leads to a hopeless end — God’s way leads to an endless hope"
-Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit. Romans 8:14-15 "For all who are led by the Spirit of God are sons of God. For you did not receive the spirit of slavery to fall back into fear, but you have received the Spirit of adoption as sons, by whom we cry, “Abba! Father!”
Now the rest of Mark's gospel focuses in on who Jesus is and how we set our minds on Him to follow Him.
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