Mark 8:31-38 – Jesus Fortells his Death and Resurrection

1. Vss. 31-32a: Jesus Reveals His Mission Plainly

2. Vss. 32b-33: Peter rebukes Jesus:

· What Peter said didn’t line up with the Scripture

· What Peter said was in contradiction to the spiritual authority over him

G. Campbell Morgan said, “The man who loves Jesus, but who shuns God’s method, is a stumbling block to Him.”

3. Vs. 34: Warning to Those Who Want to Follow Jesus

3 things required: Deny ourselves, Take up your cross, Follow Me

1. We must surrender ourselves completely to Him
2. We must identify with Him in suffering and death
3. We must follow Him obediently wherever He leads

*Denying self is not the same as self-denial

To deny means: to disown, to refuse association with, to refuse to be in companionship with

*Cross bearing does not refer to some irritation in life

4. Vss. 35-38: Why Take Up The Cross and Follow Jesus:

Luke 4:5-8:  And the devil took him up and showed him all the kingdoms of the world in a moment of time, and said to him, “To you I will give all this authority and their glory, for it has been delivered to me, and I give it to whom I will. If you, then, will worship me, it will all be yours.” And Jesus answered him, “It is written, “‘You shall worship the Lord your God, and him only shall you serve.”