Bible Reading for: March 6

Mark 8:31–9:13

Every day we face the temptation of putting our will above that of God. When this happens we must respond by saying “get behind me Satan”.

Luke 9:23 has been one of my most favorite verses, but just now as I read today’s passage I notice that that particular phrase is repeated, or more likely originates, here in today’s reading in Mark.

Mark 8:34 ESV
“And calling the crowd to him with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'”

What precedes this quote in Luke is not the same as what precedes the quote here in Mark and I actually find Mark’s telling more instructive. Here in Mark we read that Peter took Jesus aside and rebuked Him for saying that He would be killed and raised again three days later. Jesus had the power to prevent that and whether Peter knew he was tempting Jesus to disobey His father or not, that was exactly what he was doing. Jesus says:

Mark 8:33 ESV
“But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, ‘Get behind me, Satan! For you are not setting your mind on the things of God, but on the things of man.'”

Peter was tempting Jesus to do His own will rather than the will of His Father. We all face a similar challenge every day. Every day we have to decide if we will do our own will or the will of our heavenly Father. Jesus tells us clearly that if we are to be His followers then we have to deny what we want and diligently pursue the will of God.

Brothers, I challenge you to take this very seriously. Determine every day to deny what you want and deliberately do what God has called you to do. It may be hard, it may be painful, but it is what a follower of Christ must do.

Vivere Victorem! (Live Victorious!)

Your brother and servant in Christ,
Bill

Dying to self, living to serve!

Alternate Reading Plans
Bible Order: Deuteronomy 14-17
Chronological Order: Numbers 18–20
Old Testament Only: Numbers 13–14