As we begin our Lenten journey, we hear the first time that Jesus predicts his death. Peter won't have it! Peter knows that in this life, death is a failure, and he is not about to let Jesus fail. What Peter doesn't know, or what Peter chooses not to hear, is that Jesus will only be victorious through his death and ultimate resurrection.

Mark 8:31-33
Jesus Predicts His Death (New Testament for Everyone) 
31 Jesus now began to teach them something new.
'There's big trouble in store for the son of man,' he said. 'The elders, the chief priests and the scribes are going to reject him. He will be killed – and after three days he'll be raised.' 32 He said all this quite explicitly.
At this, Peter took him aside and started to scold him. 33 But he turned round, saw the disciples, and scolded Peter.
'Get behind me, Accuser!' he said. 'You're thinking human thoughts, not God's thoughts.'



As we begin our Lenten journey this Ash Wednesday, we are reminded of the death of Jesus and our need for reconciliation to him.
We hear Jesus tell us that he is not headed to greatness as the world would see greatness. But he is headed to the cross and to death.

Peter and the rest of the disciples understand that Jesus is on his way to the capital city to lay claim to the throne and become the King of the Jews.

But without leaving it open to any misinterpretation, Jesus tells them that he is going to Jerusalem and will be betrayed by the religious leaders and pay the ultimate price of death by crucifixion.

But this apparent defeat will turn into a great victory only when Jesus raises from the dead three days later.
The disciples have probably heard this as Jesus referring to his resurrection at some point in the far-off future. No way is our leader going to die. Not yet, not in this way!

The fact that Jesus could indeed become king of the Jews through suffering and death was inconceivable to Peter.

For Peter, and many others, a messiah who has been killed is a failed messiah.

Therefore, Peter cannot stand by and see his leader accept the fate of death because Peter hasn't signed up for failure.

Jesus alone seems to understand that a breakthrough into new life is only attained through the experience of Loss.

Martin Luther is right when he says that "Christianity is not a theology of glory, but a theology of the cross. But to choose the way of the cross over the way of glory is a hard lesson to learn.

Like Peter, we also may be inclined to argue with Jesus when he calls us to choose the way of the cross. "Surely not, Jesus! I don't want to be on the losing team, I want to be great and win!

But Jesus calls that type of thinking Satanic,

Most of us are scripted to think that life is a game and the purpose of that game is to win.
But the divine truth is that this life is a gift, and the purpose of this life is to learn to love well.
Walter Bruggemann says that the problem with the rat race is that even if you win, you are still a rat.

Or as Jesus put it, what do you gain if you win it all, but lose your soul?
During this season of lent let's renew our commitment to take up our cross and follow Jesus.
Take the next few moments to ask yourself this.
Have I made it my goal in life to win at all costs or to love at all costs?

Music: Abide With Me by Salt of the Sound
         Stay by Salt of the Sound and Be Still The Earth 

Ver todos los episodios