Jesus Teaches About Himself

1. ‘You Are God’s Messiah!’ (Mark 8:27-30)

Everyone in the region was talking about Jesus. Some were amazed by His miracles, like raising a young girl from death and providing a picnic meal for thousands of people. Despite being from the humble town of Nazareth, how could a carpenter do such things? Jesus’ disciples, who were with Him every day, were just as puzzled but deeply moved by His power and wisdom. They saw Him heal the sick, calm storms, and understand their thoughts even when they didn’t fully understand themselves.

One day, as they walked together, Jesus asked His disciples, “What are people saying about me? Who do they think I am?”

The disciples shared what they had heard: “Some think you are John the Baptist, risen from the dead,” one said. “Others think you are Elijah, come back to earth,” another added. “Some say you are a prophet,” a third agreed.

Then Jesus asked them directly, “But who do you say I am?”

There was a moment of silence, and then Peter, with conviction, replied, “You are the Messiah, the Anointed King of God!” Jesus smiled, pleased that they had come to this realization, and affirmed that it was God who had opened their eyes to the truth. But He told them not to share this with others just yet, as He knew that people would try to turn Him into a political king—a king who would overthrow the Romans and provide for them materially. Jesus was not that kind of king.

This moment marked a turning point for the disciples. They had come to understand that Jesus was not just a teacher or a prophet but the promised Messiah, the Savior sent by God.

2. The Road Ahead (Mark 8:31-38)

The disciples were excited about their realization that Jesus was the Messiah. Like many of the people, they imagined a victorious king who would lead them into a new era of freedom and prosperity. They expected a ruler who would defeat their enemies and reign with power. But Jesus knew that they did not yet understand the full picture of what it meant for Him to be the Messiah.

He began to teach them what would happen next: “Listen carefully, I must suffer many things. The religious leaders will turn against me, arrest me, and I will be condemned to death. But after three days, I will rise again.”

Peter, who had just confessed Jesus as the Messiah, was horrified by this. He immediately rebuked Jesus, saying, “Never, Master! This must never happen to You!”

Jesus turned to Peter with a stern look and said, “Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” Jesus knew that Peter’s thoughts were still rooted in worldly expectations of power and glory. He had come not to conquer through violence or to provide earthly wealth, but to suffer, die, and be resurrected in order to bring eternal life.

Then Jesus called the crowd together and said, “If anyone wants to follow me, they must deny themselves and take up their cross. Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul?”

Jesus was teaching that true discipleship meant embracing the path of sacrifice. Following Him would not be easy; it would require giving up one’s own desires, facing challenges, and even risking one’s life. But in losing one’s life for Jesus’ sake, they would find true life—life that lasts forever.

This teaching would challenge everything the disciples expected from a Messiah and invite them to a deeper understanding of what it meant to follow Jesus. It was not about glory in the here and now but about eternal life through faith in His death and resurrection.

These teachings highlight two essential truths about Jesus: He is the Messiah, but not the kind of Messiah people expected. His mission was not about earthly power but about offering eternal life through His suffering, death, and resurrection. Jesus calls His followers to take up their cross, deny their own desires, and trust in God’s plan, knowing that true life is found in following Him, even when the path is difficult.