Mark 8:31-32b- Jesus Reveals His Purpose in Coming

Mark 8:31-32b
³¹ And He began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. ³² And He was stating the matter plainly. And Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. 

Message: Jesus Reveals His Purpose in Coming

Time: Mark's personal connection with Peter gave him the source material for this book. This book was composed probably between AD 57 and AD 59. It's a book that is on the move, leading to the cross. 39 times is the word 'immediately' used. Mark reveals Jesus as God's servant, reaching into the lives of people and effecting physical and circumstantial change.

What the Lord is Saying: 

Preface: On their way to Caesarea Philippi Jesus questions the disciples on who others see that he is and who they believe he is. They get it right and He implores them to tell no one as his desire is to continue to be able to teach them about who He is. They are learning but have more to learn.

On the heals of Jesus telling them to not tell anyone about him and that He is the Christ, he then provides a little more information on this subject. It is not that he is saying he is not the Christ, but rather this is not the time to proclaim this. And He began to teach them. This is nice to read. Mark sometimes doesn't mention much about teaching but I also realized that the questions raised by the Pharisees and scribes has their basis in people desiring to continue to keep the law or a certain code of conduct in order to earn acceptance and Jesus is continuing trying to explain a different message of simply repenting and believing. Repentance is turning from sin, penance is doing a work to pay for your sin. We only need to repent.


Jesus speaks of the Son of Man, speaking of himself, so speaking in 3rd person. It seems here that he does this repeatedly to keep who he is a mystery. He is teaching, but who he is needs to remain a mystery somewhat. What we know for sure is he is different from the religion that has been at the core of thought prior.

The mission of the Son of Man, the eventual mission is to suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. So he is to suffer, be rejected, be killed and rise again. His mission is to suffer. Our mission many times is to suffer. We don't like it, but it is the truth. It is our intended path. But suffering comes first. 

And he is to be rejected by everyone that is of importance in the religious world of that time. Suffering and rejection are separate. And then he looks forward to death. Jesus predicts his fate here. It is an amazing thing. How is the resurrection valid? Well, Jesus taught it. That's pretty amazing. 

Although Peter had earlier acknowledged Jesus as the Messiah, the Christ. Here, Peter took Him aside and began to rebuke Him. Peter doesn't understand the whole picture. And my guess is he responds like I would. I want to enjoy what I have with Jesus. I don't want him to die.   

The salvation message of the Father sending the Son, the Son dying for his people, and the Spirit applying the son's work to believers is still taking shape in the life of the disciples. 

Summary - Jesus provides more information about himself on the journey they are taking, remarking that he has a mission of suffering, rejecting, death, and resurrection. These things must happen in their time. Jesus has a greater purpose. In the meantime, keep listening to his message and seeing that he is different, radically different.

Promise: I am to read the entire story of the gospel. I'm seeing more and more that suffering and the message of grace is the picture that I need to see.

Prayer: Thank you Jesus for your mission and reminding me that suffering is not a curse. It is normal for things to not go my way. I thank you that right now the sufferings seem to be minimal in my life. I'm at an age that the kids are leaving and sure maybe their lives are tough and it's hard to watch, I still am thankful for the journey and the way you have taught me throughout that process. Thank you for that example that you are. Help me to keep carrying your message forward.