Today’s WORD (Text) Mark 8:31 - 33
31/ Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32/ He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33/ But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Today’s Witness
As we engage in Christological reflection during this Lenten season, we acknowledge that Jesus reckoned emotionally, intellectually, and vocationally with the prospect that he would be confronted by violent people during his ministry, and that he would die from violence. Considering the way our Savior died it is ironic that so many Christians are uncomfortable discussing the violence that occurs every day in our world. On the one hand it is as though there are hierarchies of violence in our society: a police-involved shooting is assigned a different meaning from a drive-by shooting. A sexual assault is regarded differently from a murder-suicide. On the other hand, violence by any and every means is much too common in our world, and we should never become anesthetized to its effects. Though Peter was rebuked for trying to stop Jesus, we might note his abhorrence of the very idea of Jesus suffering a violent death. We must learn lessons from both persons in this passage. From Jesus we must learn that cross-bearing is essential to discipleship. From Peter we must learn to resist becoming comfortable with the idea of violence and suffering in our world in any form.
Today’s Invitation
As you reflect on the violence that Jesus anticipated when he turned toward Jerusalem, what do you think gave him the resolve to continue moving forward despite the consequences that faced him?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, you set a profound example for us about the cost of discipleship, and the power of Christlike determination and resolve. Lord, we face so many issues and challenges in our world that we are often inclined to turn back in discouragement. We pray for the godly resolve and holy boldness that we need to be your witnesses during these precarious times. We pray for all those in our world today who are confronted with violence as they take a stand for what they believe in. We remember especially the people of Burma who continue to face persecution from corrupt military officials. We pray for all people who suffer violence in every form throughout our world. Grant us courage and the Christian resolve needed to work for peace and justice in our world. Give us courage when it is our time to take a stand for justice. Also, give us courage when it is our time to take a stand for peace, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
- Where will I follow Christ today?
- To whom shall I demonstrate Jesus’ love and justice today?
- How can I play my part in practicing the presence of Christ, right here, right now?
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Christoph Schmid on Unsplash
Today’s WORD (Text) Mark 8:31 - 33
31/ Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32/ He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33/ But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things.”
Today’s Witness
As we engage in Christological reflection during this Lenten season, we acknowledge that Jesus reckoned emotionally, intellectually, and vocationally with the prospect that he would be confronted by violent people during his ministry, and that he would die from violence. Considering the way our Savior died it is ironic that so many Christians are uncomfortable discussing the violence that occurs every day in our world. On the one hand it is as though there are hierarchies of violence in our society: a police-involved shooting is assigned a different meaning from a drive-by shooting. A sexual assault is regarded differently from a murder-suicide. On the other hand, violence by any and every means is much too common in our world, and we should never become anesthetized to its effects. Though Peter was rebuked for trying to stop Jesus, we might note his abhorrence of the very idea of Jesus suffering a violent death. We must learn lessons from both persons in this passage. From Jesus we must learn that cross-bearing is essential to discipleship. From Peter we must learn to resist becoming comfortable with the idea of violence and suffering in our world in any form.
Today’s Invitation
As you reflect on the violence that Jesus anticipated when he turned toward Jerusalem, what do you think gave him the resolve to continue moving forward despite the consequences that faced him?
Today’s Prayer
Dear Lord, you set a profound example for us about the cost of discipleship, and the power of Christlike determination and resolve. Lord, we face so many issues and challenges in our world that we are often inclined to turn back in discouragement. We pray for the godly resolve and holy boldness that we need to be your witnesses during these precarious times. We pray for all those in our world today who are confronted with violence as they take a stand for what they believe in. We remember especially the people of Burma who continue to face persecution from corrupt military officials. We pray for all people who suffer violence in every form throughout our world. Grant us courage and the Christian resolve needed to work for peace and justice in our world. Give us courage when it is our time to take a stand for justice. Also, give us courage when it is our time to take a stand for peace, in the Name of Jesus. Amen.
The Passionary Intention
Today, I choose to live my life with passion. Today, I intend to follow Christ more nearly, love more dearly and incarnate God’s grace more clearly by asking myself three questions:
The Passionary Movement Word and Witness devotion is published weekdays (Monday – Friday). Dr. Jeffrey Haggray, Executive Director of American Baptist Home Mission Societies is the author of today’s devotion.
Photo by Christoph Schmid on Unsplash