Everything Is Possible For One Who Believes (Mark 9:14-29)

 

Everything Is Possible For One Who Believes (Mark 9:14-29)

What is faith? It is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). Faith is not something that can be obtained through education; it is a gift from heaven. Faith is the power to overcome darkness, sorrow, and fate. Through faith, we hope for the kingdom of heaven, which is in glory, honor, and power, though unseen to the eye. Therefore, the righteous will live by faith (Habakkuk 2:4; Romans 1:17).

In Mark 9:14-29, Jesus healed a boy possessed by an evil spirit. The disciples at the foot of the mountain were in a difficult situation because they could not drive out the evil spirit. Jesus taught them, "This kind can come out only by prayer." Faith is relying on God entirely from beginning to end. Therefore, we must always pray (Luke 18:1).

The Disciples Were Arguing With The Teachers Of The Law

14 When they came to the other disciples, they saw a large crowd around them and the teachers of the law arguing with them. 15 As soon as all the people saw Jesus, they were overwhelmed with wonder and ran to greet him. 16 “What are you arguing with them about?” he asked. 17 A man in the crowd answered, “Teacher, I brought you my son, who is possessed by a spirit that has robbed him of speech. 18 Whenever it seizes him, it throws him to the ground. He foams at the mouth, gnashes his teeth and becomes rigid. I asked your disciples to drive out the spirit, but they could not.” (Mark 9:14-18)

There was a significant difference between the top of the mountain and the bottom. On the mountain, the disciples witnessed the scene where Jesus, having been transfigured in honor and glory, was conversing with Moses and Elijah. The cloud of God’s glory surrounded them, and they heard the voice saying, "Listen to him." There was no chaos there, only radiance, power, and order reigned.

However, the bottom of the mountain was quite different. The disciples were arguing with the teachers of the law, and they were in a very difficult situation. The reason was that the disciples were unable to drive out a spirit that was tormenting a boy. The disciples at the foot of the mountain, drawing on their past experience of missionary journeys, believed that they would be able to drive out the spirit in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Mark 6:13).

However, the situation became increasingly difficult. Except for the three disciples, the eight disciples who remained at the foot of the mountain could not drive the spirit out at all, and they were at a complete loss. To make matters worse, the Sadducees appeared and questioned the disciples as to why they could not heal him. The disciples were in a dilemma.

What is the problem? In verse 29, Jesus said that this kind can come out only by prayer. Prayer is entrusting God for our needs. We can ask with faith in God and His promises. Not asking with faith is a double-minded heart. This means that if there is no answer to prayer, they have their own thoughts.

"But when you ask, you must believe and not doubt, because the one who doubts is like a wave of the sea, blown and tossed by the wind. That person should not expect to receive anything from the Lord. Such a person is double-minded and unstable in all they do" (James 1:6-8).

Jesus sent the disciples out on a missionary journey and gave them authority to drive out impure spirits (Mark 6:7). They went from village to village and drove out many spirits with the power Jesus had given them. However, this time, they did not rely on Jesus' power, did not pray with faith, and relied on their own experience.

In Christ, There is No Condemnation

We have received forgiveness of sins and have been born again through His blood in Christ. This means that we are now able to cast out demons by the power of God and Christ. What does this mean? Because we are in Christ, we are no longer under the power of sin and death. Although Satan the devil tries to deceive us with lies, we can effectively drive him away by relying on the merit of Christ's blood. We cannot do it by our own strength, but we do it by the power of Christ.

However, even believers get cancer, fail, stumble, and commit sins. At such times, the devil unfailingly laughs at what our situation and state are, pressuring us by saying we are unqualified, and trying to increase our sense of condemnation. This is a typical lie of Satan. Because those who believe in God are in Christ, there is no longer any condemnation (Romans 8:1).

1 Therefore, there is now no condemnation for those who are in Christ Jesus, 2 because through Christ Jesus the law of the Spirit who gives life has set you free from the law of sin and death. 3 For what the law was powerless to do because it was weakened by the flesh, God did by sending his own Son in the likeness of sinful flesh to be a sin offering. And so he condemned sin in the flesh, 4 in order that the righteous requirement of the law might be fully met in us, who do not live according to the flesh but according to the Spirit. (Romans 8:1-4)

In Love, God Disciplines and Refines Us

Also, when you face difficult and trying problems, the devil plants doubts about God’s love. He shoots arrows of doubt, asking, "If God is love, how could this happen?" However, God is the same yesterday and today and forever, unchanging in His love (Hebrews 13:8).

What is the evidence of God’s love? The wrath of God is being revealed from heaven against all the godlessness and wickedness of people (Romans 1:18). God’s wrath stems from His holy love. If there were no consequences for committing evil, it would be a world of chaos and lawlessness. However, the wrath of God is surely revealed against all wickedness and evil. God does not abandon people to head toward destruction, but He leads them to turn from evil, repent, and find salvation. This is God’s holy love.

"O Faithless Generation, How Long Shall I Put Up With You?"

19 “You unbelieving generation,” Jesus replied, “how long shall I stay with you? How long shall I put up with you? Bring the boy to me.” 20 So they brought him. When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion. He fell to the ground and rolled around, foaming at the mouth. 21 Jesus asked the boy’s father, “How long has he been like this?” “From childhood,” he answered. 22 “It has often thrown him into fire or water to kill him. (Mark 9:19-22a)

Jesus groaned at the sight of a faithless generation. God lamented when He saw the faithless world in the time of Noah (Genesis 6:6). The door to salvation through faith is always open. However, there is a time limit, which is from the time a person is born until they die. The reason Jesus groaned was because of the stubborn and hardened hearts of the people who, though they see, do not perceive, and though they hear, do not understand.

God is righteous and just, and He has granted the same opportunity to everyone. Whoever believes in Jesus Christ, the Son whom God has sent, shall not perish but have eternal life (John 3:16). However, if one denies, rejects, and refuses to welcome Jesus Christ, the Son whom God has sent, until the end, they will face eternal destruction.

God does not want anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9). Therefore, God sent prophets and made earnest appeals (Isaiah 1:18; Matthew 11:28-30; 1 Peter 2:4; James 4:8). Furthermore, God left behind the word of truth. He gave us the 66 books of the Old and New Testaments. Blessed is the one who reads, understands, and obeys the word of God and bears fruit (Revelation 1:3).

The word of God's truth is the key that reveals the secrets of the kingdom of heaven. Although perfect justice has not yet been achieved on this earth, God will ultimately establish all justice (2 Thessalonians 1:6-9). This is the secret of the kingdom of heaven. He will repay those who believe in God and endure suffering with the crown of life and rest, but he will punish those who do not know God and do not obey the gospel of Jesus Christ (James 1:12; Revelation 2:10).

Bring Him To Me

But if you can do anything, take pity on us and help us.” 23 “ ‘If you can’?” said Jesus. “Everything is possible for one who believes.” 24 Immediately the boy’s father exclaimed, “I do believe; help me overcome my unbelief!” 25 When Jesus saw that a crowd was running to the scene, he rebuked the impure spirit. “You deaf and mute spirit,” he said, “I command you, come out of him and never enter him again.” 26 The spirit shrieked, convulsed him violently and came out. The boy looked so much like a corpse that many said, “He’s dead.” 27 But Jesus took him by the hand and lifted him to his feet, and he stood up. 28 After Jesus had gone indoors, his disciples asked him privately, “Why couldn’t we drive it out?” 29 He replied, “This kind can come out only by prayer.” (Mark 9:22b-29)

When the spirit saw Jesus, it immediately threw the boy into a convulsion and terrified him. From the time the boy was small, the spirit had ruthlessly thrown him into fire and water to kill him. The spirit’s purpose is to kill cruelly. As the father of lies, it is a master at causing harm through lies, threats, and violence. Satan ruthlessly attacked Job without any cause, taking away all his children and possessions in a single day, and as if that were not enough, he inflicted him with painful sores all over his body, plunging him into unbearable suffering (Job 1:13–2:10).

The spirit was originally created as an angel of light, but it did not keep its own domain and rebelled against God (Isaiah 14:12). The devil did not submit to God, but rather sought to become higher than God (Isaiah 14:13-14). Therefore, God cursed the devil for not obeying. Now, until the time of judgment, his days are numbered (Revelation 12:12). That is why Satan struggles desperately to cause even more harm.

However, Satan can do nothing on his own without God’s permission (Job 1:12, 2:6). Then, why did God allow Satan to strike Job? It is for God’s discipline and refinement (Hebrews 12:5-6). God refined Job to teach him what he did not know. That truth is that God is already restraining the evil that has taken root within man (2 Thessalonians 2:6).

For The Believer, There Is Nothing That Cannot Be Done

What God looks for is whether one comes forth with the gift of faith that has been sent down from heaven. Faith is confidence in what we hope for and assurance about what we do not see (Hebrews 11:1). God opens the heavens to those who live by faith and pours out blessings upon blessings. He gives the blessing of knowing and understanding the truth, the blessing of discerning and resisting the lies of Satan, and the blessing of following the way of Jesus' cross.

Above all, God blesses us not to desire earthly things in this world, but to hold onto the hope of the glorious kingdom of heaven. He blesses us to bear the fruit of love, joy, peace, and patience. He gives the blessing of forgiving, loving, and comforting others. He removes the complaining and resentment lurking within our hearts and fills them instead with thanksgiving and peace.

Furthermore, He makes us realize our lack of faith and pours out the blessing of faith upon us. By faith, we do not doubt God’s love; by faith, we hold fast to His promises and are filled with the hope of the kingdom of heaven.

19 Without weakening in his faith, he faced the fact that his body was as good as dead—since he was about a hundred years old—and that Sarah’s womb was also dead. 20 Yet he did not waver through unbelief regarding the promise of God, but was strengthened in his faith and gave glory to God, 21 being fully persuaded that God had power to do what he had promised. 22 This is why “it was credited to him as righteousness.” 23 The words “it was credited to him” were written not for him alone (Romans 4:19-23).

Amen!

May 24, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

The Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13)

 

The Transfiguration (Mark 9:1-13)

What is glory? It is to be honorable, radiant, and brilliant. However, the glory of this world is different from the glory of heaven. Worldly glory is fleeting and empty. We desire recognition, praise, and acclaim, but these are only momentary and do not quench our thirst. In contrast, heavenly glory is eternal and unchanging. God always dwells in glory, honor, majesty, and power; He has called us into His glory and blessed us.

In Mark 9:1-13, Jesus was suddenly transfigured before three of His disciples. In an instant, He took on His original form as God. He appeared in a radiance of glory, completely different from the everyday appearance the disciples were used to. We reside in the kingdom of heaven since redeemed by the blood of Christ, dwelling and reigning together with this very Lord of glory, Jesus Christ.

Seeing the Kingdom of God Coming with Power

1 And he said to them, “Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with its power.” 2 After six days Jesus took Peter, James and John with him and led them up a high mountain, where they were all alone. There he was transfigured before them. 3 His clothes became dazzling white, whiter than anyone in the world could bleach them. 4 And there appeared before them Elijah and Moses, who were talking with Jesus. (Mark 9:1-4)

No one has seen the Kingdom of God fully; the Lord’s kingdom is invisible. However, some have seen it partially. Moses saw the pattern of the heavenly sanctuary on Mount Sinai (Exodus 25:40; Hebrews 8:5). Moses asked God to show him His glory (Exodus 33:18). At that time, God did not show Moses His face (because he would have died), but placed him in a cleft in the rock and covered him with His hand until He had passed by, allowing him to see His back (Exodus 33:20-23).

The prophet Elijah fled to Mount Horeb to escape Jezebel’s threat after the battle at Mount Carmel (1 Kings 19:1-8). There, God appeared to him and spoke in a gentle whisper (1 Kings 19:12). The Lord God was not in the powerful wind that shattered the rocks, nor in the earthquake, nor in the fire. Prophets like Isaiah, Ezekiel, and Daniel, as well as John, saw the glory of God and became like dead men (Isaiah 6:5; Ezekiel 1:28; Daniel 10:8-9; Revelation 1:17).

Peter, James, and John saw the Kingdom of God coming with power. On the high mountain, Jesus was transfigured into His original form as the glorious Creator God. At that moment, Elijah and Moses talked with Him. Jesus, who came to this earth in the flesh, is the Creator who originally dwells in the glory, power, and majesty by which He created the heavens and the earth through His word.

Moses died on Mount Nebo at the age of 120 (Deuteronomy 34:5). Chariots and horses of fire separated Elijah from Elisha, and Elijah went up to heaven in a whirlwind without seeing death (2 Kings 2:11). These two men represent the Law and the Prophets. The Law and the Prophets prophesied that the suffering Christ would come.

Since Jesus is without sin, He had no reason to die on a cross. Jesus, transfigured as the essence of glory on the high mountain, proves this fact. Jesus could have entered His original glory at any time without going through the cross, but He chose not to. Jesus returned to God the Father through the cross of suffering.

The Kingdom of God – Eternal Home for Believers

The Kingdom of God refers to the realm where God reigns. It is not a specific geographical location in the universe. The Kingdom of God includes everything—the visible universe and all invisible realms like power and authority. In fact, since there is no realm that God does not rule, we are living in the Kingdom of Heaven.

However, the invisible is more significant than the visible. This includes the principalities and powers of Satan, who holds the power of the air. The gravity, electromagnetism, and nuclear forces that govern the universe are also invisible. Within the vast universe that operates in such an orderly fashion, the glory and power of the God who created the heavens and the earth are clearly and undeniably revealed (Romans 1:19).

The Kingdom of God is described as a sea of glass (Revelation 4:6, 15:2). There is not the slightest shaking or agitation. There is no surprise or pretension; it exists within the glory and power of the Holy God. While the surface of the sea may be rough and tossing, the deep sea is not agitated at all. The Kingdom of Heaven is like this.

Jesus, who was suddenly transfigured on the high mountain, is always the same. He is full of glory, honor, power, authority, and majesty. Jesus is always holy. He is filled with a perfection that does not deviate in the slightest. While on this earth, Jesus demonstrated that holiness and perfection. In any situation, under any accusation, or during any questioning, He always remained in control. Jesus said to Pilate:

10 “Do you refuse to speak to me?” Pilate said. “Don’t you realize I have power either to free you or to crucify you?” 11 Jesus answered, “You would have no power over me if it were not given to you from above. Therefore the one who handed me over to you is guilty of a greater sin.” (John 19:10-11)

Example: Chosen in Christ Before the Creation of the World

How does God accomplish our salvation? He knew all things before the ages—even before He created the world. Before the creation of the world, God chose us in Christ to be holy and blameless in His sight in love (Eph 1:4; Isa 49:1; Jer 1:5; Gal 1:15). This grace consists of every spiritual blessing in the heavenly realms given to us in Christ. Through Christ's sacrifice, this grace was bestowed according to the purpose God intended before the ages (Eph 1:7).

God’s plan of redemption was not established after Adam’s fall. God already knew and predestined the sacrifice of Christ before the beginning of time (Rev 5:6, 13:8; 1 Pet 1:19-20). Therefore, there is no other name by which we must be saved except the name of the Lord Jesus Christ (Acts 4:12). For this reason, the Lord was pleased to strike His only begotten Son:

"Yet it was the Lord’s will to crush him and cause him to suffer, and though the Lord makes his life an offering for sin, he will see his offspring and prolong his days, and the will of the Lord will prosper in his hand" (Isa 53:10).

The Disciples Were Terrified

5 Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here. Let us put up three shelters—one for you, one for Moses and one for Elijah.” 6 (He did not know what to say, they were so frightened.) 7 Then a cloud appeared and covered them, and a voice came from the cloud: “This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!” 8 Suddenly, when they looked around, they no longer saw anyone with them except Jesus (Mark 9:5-8).

Peter and the disciples watched this scene with fear and trembling. In the presence of the glory and power of God, they did not know what to say. When the God of glory descended on Mount Sinai, Moses and the people likewise trembled with fear (Heb 12:21). God dwells in honor, glory, and majesty; He is never to be mocked (Gal 6:7-8).

"The fear of the Lord is the beginning of wisdom; all who follow his precepts have good understanding. To him belongs eternal praise" (Ps 111:10).

At that moment, a cloud came and covered the disciples. The cloud symbolizes the presence of the Lord. During the wilderness journey, this cloud stayed above the Tabernacle (Num 9:22; Ex 40:36-37). When the cloud remained over the Tabernacle, the people stayed; when it moved, they followed (Num 9:17). The Lord God Himself guided and protected the path of His people.

Then, a voice came from the cloud saying, "This is my Son, whom I love. Listen to him!" This was clearly a command to believe that the Lord Jesus Christ must die and rise again. The fact that the Heavenly Father spoke directly to the disciples highlights how vital it is to accept the "Suffering Christ."

Since Jesus was without sin, He could have ascended to heavenly glory without ever enduring the cross. However, if He had, there would be no salvation for those under sin. No one except Jesus Christ can take the place of another’s sin. Only the sacrifice of Jesus Christ, the Son of God, has the power to redeem those fallen under sin.

13 When you were dead in your sins and in the uncircumcision of your flesh, God made you alive with Christ. He forgave us all our sins, 14 having canceled the charge of our legal indebtedness, which stood against us and condemned us; he has taken it away, nailing it to the cross. 15 And having disarmed the powers and authorities, he made a public spectacle of them, triumphing over them by the cross (Col 2:13-15).

Tell No One What You Have Seen

9 As they were coming down the mountain, Jesus gave them orders not to tell anyone what they had seen until the Son of Man had risen from the dead. 10 They kept the matter to themselves, discussing what “rising from the dead” meant. 11 And they asked him, “Why do the teachers of the law say that Elijah must come first?” 12 Jesus replied, “To be sure, Elijah does come first, and restores all things. Why then is it written that the Son of Man must suffer much and be rejected? 13 But I tell you, Elijah has come, and they have done to him everything they wished, just as it is written about him” (Mark 9:9-13).

Jesus warned them not to tell anyone until He had risen again. This is in the same context as when He healed a blind man and told him not to go into the village. It was because the disciples did not yet have complete knowledge regarding the Suffering Christ. Just as Peter suggested building three shelters because he didn't know what to say, they still lacked full understanding of Jesus Christ—specifically regarding His suffering and resurrection.

The prophet Malachi had prophesied long ago that Elijah must come first (Mal 4:5). Jesus explained that while Elijah comes first to restore all things, he had already come and was treated poorly, just as written. This refers to John the Baptist, the forerunner of Christ.

When Zechariah entered the temple to burn incense, an angel appeared and told him his wife Elizabeth would bear a son named John (Luke 1:13). The angel said he would go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the parents to their children and the disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people prepared for the Lord (Luke 1:17).

The prophet Elijah stood alone against the king and people of Israel who had fallen into the sin of idolatry, manifesting the power and glory of the Lord God (1 Kings 18:38). John the Baptist, with that same zeal, preached a message of repentance to a thirsty people and baptized them in the Jordan River for the forgiveness of sins (Mark 1:4-5).

At the same time, Jesus told them to take note of what was written about the Son of Man: that He must suffer much and be rejected. To teach this Gospel truth, Jesus was transfigured before the three disciples, and God the Father spoke directly from heaven, commanding: "Listen to Him."

Amen!

May 17, 2026

Buffalo Livingstone Church ©2026, David Lee Ministries ©2026 – All Rights Reserved.

Scripture quotes are from the NIV.

 

You Are the Messiah (Mark 8:27-38)

 

You Are the Messiah (Mark 8:27-38)

Who is the Christ? As the Son of God, Christ came to this earth as a suffering servant. Long ago, the Law and the Prophets in the Old Testament prophesied that the suffering Christ would come. Old Testament saints like Moses, Abraham, and David knew and believed in the suffering Christ. However, many Jews—especially the religious leaders—rejected the suffering Christ and crucified Him.

In Mark 8:27-38, Jesus taught His disciples the gospel of the cross and the resurrection, and He taught them about the suffering Christ. Peter and the disciples were greatly shocked by the word that Jesus would die. However, because this was God’s good work, Jesus taught them without hiding a single thing.

"Who Do People Say I Am?"

27 Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28 They replied, “Some say John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” (Mark 8:27-28)

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, came to this earth in the incarnation. Jesus testified to the gospel of the kingdom of heaven and drove out diseases and demons. So, what did people think about Jesus? This is a very important question because it is directly linked to salvation. They thought He was a prophet of God.

It was a close answer, but not accurate. Jesus is the Christ who came as more than a prophet. A prophet is sent by God to speak His word. In this respect, Jesus is a prophet. Jesus proclaimed, “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven has come near” (Matthew 3:2). This message is God’s invitation for people fallen in sin to enter the gate of heavenly salvation. Furthermore, He is the atoning sacrifice for the redemption of the world.

God sent the prophet Elijah when King Ahab ruled Northern Israel. Northern Israel had fallen deep into idolatry. False prophets deceived and tripped up the king and the people. God sent the prophet to turn back the people who were drifting further from Him. The prophet warned that a famine would come to the land for several years, and on Mount Carmel, he challenged the prophets of Baal to reveal the power of the living, Almighty God (1 Kings 18:20-40).

Through the prophet Elijah, God brought a famine to the land of Israel for several years (1 Kings 17). This was discipline and refinement intended to turn the hearts of the king and the people back to the Lord. To escape the severe famine, the prophet went to a brook, and when the water there dried up, he went to a widow living in Zarephath in the region of Sidon. God fed the prophet and the widow every day during the famine.

At the end of the age of the Judges, during the time of Eli the high priest, his two sons were corrupt and the word of God was rare (1 Samuel 3:1). At that time, God let the sound of heaven be heard through Samuel (1 Samuel 3:7). For four hundred years after the prophet Malachi, there was no word from God. God broke the long silence and sent John the Baptist as the forerunner of Christ, who worked in the spirit of Elijah.

In this way, God pitied His people and constantly sent many prophets to awaken them so they would turn back and walk in the way of truth. And when the set time of God had fully come, He sent His Son Jesus Christ according to the Scriptures and spoke the gospel of the kingdom of heaven through Him (Hebrews 1:2).

16 All Scripture is God-breathed and is useful for teaching, rebuking, correcting and training in righteousness, 17 so that the servant of God may be thoroughly equipped for every good work. (2 Timothy 3:16-17)

Peter’s Confession – "You are the Messiah"

29 “But what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are the Messiah.” 30 Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. (Mark 8:29-31)

It is very important for the disciples to know exactly who Jesus Christ is. Peter said, “You are the Christ.” This means Jesus is the Messiah, the Lord of Israel’s salvation. Peter’s answer is the correct one. However, Jesus warned them not to tell this to anyone. This was because, although Peter had confessed the Lord as Christ, he did not yet understand the complete perspective of the Messiah.

For the first time, Jesus taught Peter and the disciples that He must suffer many things, be rejected by their leaders, die, and rise again after three days. This is the complete knowledge of Christ. The suffering Christ is the Lord who saves this world, including Israel, from the power of sin and death.

This is what the Law and the Prophets testify. The Law stipulates the sacrificial system—burnt offerings, grain offerings, fellowship offerings, sin offerings, and guilt offerings—and there is no sacrifice offered without the blood of an animal (Hebrews 9:22). Seeing the blood of the animal sacrifice, God forgives the sins of His people. The animal is a sacrificial offering that substitutes for the one offering it (Leviticus 1:4). Therefore, the blood of the animal sacrifice symbolizes the blood of the Christ who was to come.

The prophets prophesied that the Lord of salvation would come. However, the Lord of salvation was not the Christ the Jews hoped for—one who would defeat enemies with mighty military power and establish an earthly kingdom—but was said to come as a child. And above all, it was prophesied that God’s Christ would die, bearing the sins of this world (Isaiah 6:13, 7:14, 9:6, 53:1-9).

But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was on him, and by his wounds we are healed. (Isaiah 53:5)

Peter Rebukes Jesus

32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns” (Mark 8:32-33).

Peter could not agree with Jesus' words. He could not accept the fact that Jesus would die. Therefore, he did not understand the word of the resurrection—that he would rise again after three days. This is evidence that Peter did not yet fully understand the correct view of the Messiah. Like other Jews, he expected Jesus to establish a powerful earthly kingdom like King David.

In fact, there was no reason at all for Jesus to die. Therefore, it was a great shock for the disciples, including Peter, to hear that Jesus would die. Furthermore, they thought that if Jesus died, the Messianic kingdom would be out of reach. Their hearts wanted a liberated Israel that would refreshingly defeat the Gentile Roman army as soon as possible.

Accordingly, Jesus looked at his disciples and rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind me, Satan! You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." It was the will of God the Father for Jesus to die in place of the sins of this world (Isaiah 53:10). By Jesus receiving the sacrifice that atones for the sins of this world, all people reach salvation (Hebrews 12:2).

The work of God is to bring the dead back to life. It is to find the lost, save them, and lead them to eternal life. It is to enable them to obtain love, joy, and peace, which are the eternal treasures of the kingdom of heaven. It is to create a new person through the blood of Christ. It is to give hope for His eternal kingdom. It is to no longer fear or be terrified by the power of sin and death, but to worship God forever in holiness and righteousness.

The things that humans plan are all things done without God. The work that Satan does is to exclude God and sit in God's place to rule as king. Anyone who denies the suffering Christ is an antichrist. He who denies Christ is a liar (1 John 2:22). Therefore, following the example of Christ, loving one's enemies is the work of God. Not doing so is the work of man.

Deny Yourself, Take Up Your Cross, and Follow Me

Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for 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? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels” (Mark 8:34–38).

Jesus taught his disciples what it means to save one’s life. In order to give life to those who were under sin, Jesus himself became God’s sacrifice (Philippians 2:8). To follow Jesus is to walk the way of the cross together with the Lord. This is self-denial. It is to be selfless. Jesus, being in very nature God, humbled himself, took on human likeness, and became flesh (Philippians 2:6–7).

And Jesus was condemned by the Jews, suffered under Pilate, and was lifted up on the cross. To follow Christ is to carry the cross together with the Lord. At that time, the power and glory of God are revealed. God raised Jesus Christ, who died and was buried, by the power of the resurrection. When we follow the Lord’s example, deny ourselves, take up our cross, and die, God also raises us up by the power of the resurrection.

This is the way to gain life. But if a person does not follow the way of the Lord, that is, if they follow human thoughts, they lose their life. They do not receive salvation. They cannot enter eternal life. They cannot reach the glory of the resurrection with Christ. If anyone is ashamed to carry the cross with the Lord, the result is shameful eternal punishment.

To die to oneself and carry the cross with the Lord is a narrow and difficult road. Therefore, only a few find it (Matthew 7:13–14). Who would like a cross of shame and humiliation? Instead, people long for glory, recognition, and praise. But if they do not take the way of the true reward of glory given by God, that is, the way of the cross of the Lord Jesus Christ, the result is destruction and eternal punishment.

This world is adulterous and full of sin. Instead of God, it worships money, pleasure, career, and success. It does not know God, nor does it know his holy love, that he did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us. It has no interest in it. Though people do not know God, they do not stop speaking recklessly and rebelling against him (Jude 1:10). The cross of Christ is a stumbling block to Jews and foolishness to Gentiles (1 Corinthians 1:23).

But those who fear God, are moved by the love with which he gave his Son, and follow the way of the cross with the Lord, obtain and enjoy eternal life. Even though in this world they suffer persecution, hardship, and are treated as fools, in the kingdom of heaven they will not be put to shame, but will stand boldly before the eternal God the Father (Romans 5:2).

Therefore, let us then approach God’s throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need (Hebrews 4:16).

Amen!

May 10, 2026

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Scripture quotes are from the NIV.