In Mark 8:29 we read Peters words, “Thou art the Christ”. He knew who Jesus was but really didn’t know what Jesus’ mission here on earth was. He got full marks for his answer Jesus said, “Flesh and blood hasn’t revealed this to you but my Father in heaven”. That’s fine, but by the time we get to verse 33 Jesus is rebuking him as the agent of Satan.

There’s a real lesson for us here we can get a revelation of God and his presence around us and be inspired to speak the “Oracles of God,” but if we are not careful the next minute we can be back in our selfish flesh mode speaking the words of the enemy like Peter did.

Jesus decided it was time for a seminar right there on the spot verse 34 says  And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Here we have Jesus revealing His mission on earth and inviting us as Christians to join Him in that mission. It’s amazing He used the word cross, all the disciples must have known about the horror and shame of the executions going on around them but what is Jesus trying to reveal to them. They certainly didn’t understand what Jesus was saying, even though He told them He would die and be raised up after 3 days.            

I believe the key to the verse is the little word ‘deny’ as we see in God’s word so often the little insignificant words are the most powerful ones. What do we have to deny? Ourselves of course! We haven’t got to get on the cross with Jesus, He did it once and for all for us. No we have to die to our own selfish nature. Humans are naturally selfish we don’t have to work at it do we?

Today in the times we live in people seem to be becoming

 more and more self orientated. People are always saying “I’ve got my rights you know”. Fathers and Mothers rather than sacrificing themselves for their children are fighting over them to have access. Basically because they are unwilling to deny there own ambitions for the sake of others even precious children.

If we look at the example of Jesus we have a roll model without equal, how he dealt with the people and situations around Him. Even when Jesus was betrayed, He found time to get Peter out of trouble for cutting off Malchus’ ear by touching and healing the ear immediately.

How we treat people day by day is a greater witness to them than a thousand words. People knew Jesus loved them and had compassion the way He dealt with them said it all. He was very honest and to the point but never hurtful never condemning or putting people down. When He spoke to the woman at the well it was she who confessed the mess she was in having five husbands.

What is lacking in this current generation is compassion for others; so many people are obsessed with themselves and their own needs. They have become so focused on their problems that they have a distorted perspective of life, not able to accept that there’s always somebody worse off than them. God always puts the solution of our problems in our own hands. When we are self focused we cannot break through to God, when we stay focused on God our needs are met. God wants to use us, we must realise that it is in seeking to deny ourselves and look on the things of others, that our whole salvation lays, Philippians’ 2:4 says Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.

We must look above our limited horizon and model our lives on the way Jesus walked; He had compassion for all He met. Every one who came to Him and operated their faith was delivered; God has empowered us to be just like Him open and loving.

Father I pray, “Make us determined to go out in faith denying ourselves, being a roll model for others just like Jesus was to us and that you will make us a blessing to someone today. Keep us in true fellowship with you so that we can have impact on those around us. That like the disciples, people will see You in us and feel the compassion of Jesus welling up through our words and actions”!

Alan Churchill, Editor