In Mark 8, Jesus continues to interact, teach, heal, feed and serve the people who continually gather around Him. Jesus always answers people who are desperate for Him. He takes His disciples aside and asks them a question, "Who do people say I AM?" They give Him the various answers from what they've heard people saying about Jesus. Jesus then asks them an even more important question that He asks each and every one of us as well, "Who do you say I AM?" Peter answers Jesus confessing that Jesus is indeed the Messiah. Jesus proceeds to let them know that He will die and be buried, but that He will also rise from death on the 3rd day. Peter doesn't want this to happen and makes that known but Jesus rebukes the thought. Anything that does not line up with God and His will in our thoughts, hearts, and lives needs to be rebuked and gone. Jesus calls us to pick up our cross and follow Him, heart and soul and that means sacrificing our wills for the will of our Father. The temporary things of this world are nice blessings that God gives us, but they are meant to be stewarded to save the lives around us for Jesus. Eternity matters. Saving lives matters. Nothing matters more. Eternity is forever and there's no time like now to pick up your cross and follow Jesus. His Kingdom is coming and nothing else can compare to what is to come if you are abiding in Jesus with all your guts and every last exhale.
