Journal Reflect on Mark 8 31 38 Would

Journal Reflect on Mark 8: 31 -38. Would this passage have been comforting to a community suffering from persecution?

Mark 8: 31 -38 31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. 32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him. 33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things. ” 34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. ”

The Setting Peter’s reaction (8: 32 b): And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him Natural reaction of any Jew who would have heard Jesus The Son of Man (Daniel) is supposed to rule, not die. Nowhere in OT does it say that the Messiah would die. Only exception: 4 Esdras 7: 28 For my son the Messiah shall be revealed with those who are with him, and those who remain shall rejoice four hundred years. 29 After those years my son the Messiah shall die, and all who draw human breath. 30 Then the world shall be turned back to primeval silence for seven days, as it was at the first beginnings, so that no one shall be left. 31 After seven days the world that is not yet awake shall be roused, and that which is corruptible shall perish. 32 The earth shall give up those who are asleep in it, and the dust those who rest there in

The Setting But turning and seeing his disciples, he rebuked Peter, and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not on the side of God, but of men. " (8: 33 RSV) Peter stands with Satan, the prince of evil and prince over the “beasts” of Daniel (who will be defeated by the Son of Man), who first tested Jesus. What Peter doesn’t know is that he stands in the way of Jesus becoming the “anointed one”, the sacrifice who will save men and women from sin and its consequence, death. And he called to him the multitude with his disciples, and said to them, "If any man would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. " (Mar 8: 34 RSV)

Following the Cross For whoever would save his life will lose it; and whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. For what does it profit a man, to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? For what can a man give in return for his life? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him will the Son of man also be ashamed, when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels. " (Mar 8: 35 -38 RSV) And he said to them, "Truly, I say to you, there are some standing here who will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power. " (Mar 9: 1 RSV) The DNA of Jesus becomes the DNA of the 12. In spite of having the same power, the 12 disciples constantly misunderstand. However, the 12 must suffer as Jesus suffered.

The Transfiguration Mark 9: 2 -10 - The Transfiguration 2 Six days later, Jesus took with him Peter and James and John, and led them up a high mountain apart, by themselves. And he was transfigured before them, 3 and his clothes became dazzling white, such as no one on earth could bleach them. 4 And there appeared to them Elijah with Moses, who were talking with Jesus. 5 Then Peter said to Jesus, “Rabbi, it is good for us to be here; let us make three dwellings, one for you, one for Moses, and one for Elijah. ” 6 He did not know what to say, for they were terrified. 7 Then a cloud overshadowed them, and from the cloud there came a voice, “This is my Son, the Beloved; listen to him!” 8 Suddenly when they looked around, they saw no one with them any more, but only Jesus.

What is the role of Elijah? Behold, I will send you Elijah the prophet before the great and terrible day of the LORD comes. (Malachi 4: 5 RSV) And they asked him, "Why do the scribes say that first Elijah must come? “ And he said to them, "Elijah does come first to restore all things; and how is it written of the Son of man, that he should suffer many things and be treated with contempt? But I tell you that Elijah has come, and they did to him whatever they pleased, as it is written of him. " (Mark 9: 11 -13 RSV)

Arrival in Jerusalem & Paschal Mystery 7 Then they brought the colt to Jesus and threw their cloaks on it; and he sat on it. 8 Many people spread their cloaks on the road, and others spread leafy branches that they had cut in the fields. 9 Then those who went ahead and those who followed were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord! 10 Blessed is the coming kingdom of our ancestor David! Hosanna in the highest heaven!” 11 Then he entered Jerusalem and went into the temple; and when he had looked around at everything, as it was already late, he went out to Bethany with the twelve.

Jerusalem: Day 1 The entry into Jerusalem. Zechariah 9: The Coming Ruler of God’s People 9 Rejoice greatly, O daughter Zion! Shout aloud, O daughter Jerusalem! Lo, your king comes to you; triumphant and victorious is he, humble and riding on a donkey, on a colt, the foal of a donkey.

Jerusalem: Day 2 Jesus Curses the Fig Tree Mark 11 12 On the following day, when they came from Bethany, he was hungry. 13 Seeing in the distance a fig tree in leaf, he went to see whether perhaps he would find anything on it. When he came to it, he found nothing but leaves, for it was not the season for figs. 14 He said to it, “May no one ever eat fruit from you again. ” And his disciples heard it.

Jerusalem: Day 3 Teaching in the Temple. Three questions from three groups. Chief Priests, Elders, and Scribes…. Question 1: By what authority. Jesus responds to the challenge, they do not rerespond. 27 They came again to Jerusalem. And as He was walking in the temple, the chief priests and the scribes and the elders came to Him, 28 and began saying to Him, “By what authority are You doing these things, or who gave You this authority to do these things? ” 29 And Jesus said to them, “I will ask you one question, and you answer Me, and then I will tell you by what authority I do these things. 30 Was the baptism of John from heaven, or from men? Answer Me. ” 31 They began reasoning among themselves, saying, “If we say, ‘From heaven, ’ He will say, ‘Then why did you not believe him? ’ 32 But shall we say, ‘From men’? ”—they were afraid of the people, for everyone considered John to have been a real prophet. 33 Answering Jesus, they said, “We do not know. ” And Jesus said to them, “Nor will I tell you by what authority I do these things. ”

Jerusalem: Day 3 Question 2: Is it Lawful to play taxes? They are no friend of Rome they are trying to use Rome to trap Jesus and get him in trouble with Rome. Is it lawful to pay a poll-tax to Caesar, or not? 15 Shall we pay or shall we not pay? ” But He, knowing their hypocrisy, said to them, “Why are you testing Me? Bring Me a denarius to look at. ” 16 They brought one. And He said to them, “Whose likeness and inscription is this? ” And they said to Him, “Caesar’s. ” 17 And Jesus said to them, “Render to Caesar the things that are Caesar’s, and to God the things that are God’s. ” And they were amazed at Him.

Jerusalem: Day 3 Question 3: a joke question from the Sadducees. Whose wife will she be? 2 nd Temple Judiasm had a lot of angelic depictions…what are angels specifically? There were seven brothers; and the first took a wife, and died leaving no children. 21 The second one married her, and died leaving behind no children; and the third likewise; 22 and so all seven left no children. Last of all the woman died also. 23 In the resurrection, when they rise again, which one’s wife will she be? For all seven had married her. ” 24 Jesus said to them, “Is this not the reason you are mistaken, that you do not understand the Scriptures or the power of God? 25 For when they rise from the dead, they neither marry nor are given in marriage, but are like angels in heaven.

The Paschal Mystery Paschal: Passover, the Exodus experience when God led the Hebrews out of slavery to the Promised Land Jesus’ Sacrifice on the Cross is a passing from the slavery of sin and death to the greatest freedom of all: Resurrection. The Eucharist re-presents the Paschal Mystery, enabling us to enter into the events of our Salvation.

Historical Background of Jesus’ Death Jesus’ opponents felt threatened by some of Jesus’ words and actions. Some judged that Jesus was a false prophet. Members of the Sanhedrin accused Jesus of blasphemy, a crime punishable by death.

Theological Background of Jesus’ Death Responsibility for Jesus’ Death is assigned historically to Pontius Pilate. The real instruments of Jesus’ crucifixion are sinners. Holding all Jewish people responsible for Jesus’ Death is a form of anti-Semitism. Why Jesus Died In his suffering and Death, Jesus’ humanity became the free and perfect instrument of divine love, a selfsurrendering gift of love on our behalf.

The Passion Narratives “Christ died for our sins in accordance with the Scriptures. ” Last Supper Jesus instituted the Eucharist. Jesus’ Passion, Death and Resurrection are God’s New Covenant with us. Gethsemane “Abba. . . Take this cup” Jesus took the path of peace.

The Passion Narratives Before the Sanhedrin Judged that Jesus committed the sin of blasphemy Pilate Condemns Jesus to Death Jesus was charged with sedition, punishable by death under Roman law. Crucifixion Typically died by suffocation Jesus refused pain relief. “My God, my God, why have you abandoned me. ”

The Passion Narratives Jesus’ Death Symbolized the end of the Old Covenant Fulfilled the mission of the Suffering Servant “Truly, this man was the son of God. ” Jesus’ Burial His Mother, Mary, and John the “beloved disciple” and other women were present Buried by Joseph of Arimathea and Nicodemus

Resurrection of Jesus Fundamental event of Salvation History “If Christ has not been raised, then empty to is our preaching; empty, too, your faith. ”

Scriptural Accounts of the Resurrection n Disciples on the road to Emmaus (Lk 24) n Women (Mt 28) n Mary Magdalene (Jn 20) n Peter (Lk 24, 1 Cor 15) n Four separate appearances to the Eleven and some other disciples (Jn 20, Mt 28, Acts 1) n Seven disciples (Jn 21) n More than five hundred brothers (1 Cor 15) n James (1 Cor 15) n Paul (Acts 9)

Theological Meaning of the Resurrection Many disciples would suffer martyrdom for their belief that Jesus Christ rose from the dead. The event of the Resurrection is historical, but it also goes beyond human experience. It proves that Jesus is divine. He lives on in his Body, the Church. “Christ has died, Christ is risen, Christ will come again. ”

The Ascension of Jesus The Ascension “indicates a difference in manifestation between the glory of the risen Christ and that of the Christ exalted to the Father’s right hand. ” On the day of Pentecost the Holy Spirit gives the Apostles the power to preach the message that Jesus is Risen.

The Second Coming of Christ Parousia: the Second Coming of Christ when the Lord will judge the living and the dead “I was a stranger and you welcomed me. ” “AMEN! COME, LORD JESUS!” MARANATHA