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CROSS FIRST THAN CROWN (I)
TUESDAY, JUNE 24
Mark 8:31-9:1

Isaiah 53:1-7

 

“…the Son of man

must suffer many things…”

 

CROSS FIRST THAN CROWN (I)
 
Jesus, in response to Peter’s confession of His Messiahship, told His disciples in no uncertain terms that He would have to be killed, and then resurrected on the third day. This was the first time Jesus spoke in clear terms about His impending death and resurrection. Before this time, He only referred to them vaguely (Mark 2:20, cf. Matt 12:39, 40, 16:4). The Lord’s clear revelation of what He was about to do marked the turning point in His public ministry. His face was now set towards Jerusalem where He would ultimately fulfil the passive aspect of His two-fold obedience, namely, His sacrificial death on the cross for the redemption of His people.
 
Peter rebuked Jesus for speaking about death. In Peter’s mind, the Messiah was a Warrior King who would deliver the Jewish nation from out of Roman bondage. To Peter, death meant defeat. His hopes for a restored kingdom of Israel would be dashed if Jesus were to be killed.
 
Peter’s rebuke of Jesus was satanic. That was why Jesus rebuked Peter harshly with a stinging, “Get thee behind me, Satan,” i.e. “Get out of my sight, Satan.” Like Satan, Peter was going against God’s plan when he prohibited Jesus from dying. Peter should have known better. Isaiah 53 clearly speaks of the Messiah’s death. As a former disciple of John the baptiser, he had to have heard John’s loud declaration that Jesus is “the Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world” (John 1:29). Perhaps Peter did know what Jesus would do, but refused to accept it. This could be the reason for Jesus’ sharp rebuke of him. Peter did not see Jesus with eyes of faith. He ought to have understood that humiliation must come before exaltation. Jesus had to fulfil His mission as a Lamb, before He could fulfil His role as a King. Cross first, then Crown!
 
THOUGHT: “The Son of God became the Son of man so that the sons of men might become the sons of God.” (Calvin)

PRAYER: Father, I thank the Lord Jesus for suffering for me.

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