Following Jesus: Embracing the Way of the Cross (Mark 8:27-33)

 

Dear brothers and sisters in Christ,
May the peace and grace of our Lord Jesus Christ be with you all!

Today, we gather around the living Word of God, a Word that never ceases to challenge, transform, and call us to deeper discipleship. The Gospel passage before us invites us to reflect on one of the most fundamental questions of our faith: Who is Jesus? And just as importantly, what does it mean for us to follow Him?

Let us open our hearts and allow the Holy Spirit to illuminate this powerful encounter between Jesus and His disciples, an encounter that speaks to us today just as it did to them.

The Question That Defines Everything

Jesus and His disciples are on the road to Caesarea Philippi when He turns to them and asks, “Who do people say that I am?”  (Mark 8:27). The disciples respond with a variety of opinions: John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets. But then Jesus makes the question personal; He looks at them and asks, “But who do you say that I am?” (Mark 8:29).

Here, Peter boldly steps forward and declares, “You are the Christ” (Sy ei ho Christos). This moment is pivotal! The word Χριστός (Christos) means “Anointed One," the promised Messiah. Peter, inspired by divine insight, recognizes that Jesus is not just another prophet but the fulfillment of God’s saving plan.

And yet, something striking happens immediately after this confession. Jesus begins to reveal what kind of Christ He truly is—a suffering Messiah, not a political liberator or a warrior king. He speaks of rejection, suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter, who had just proclaimed Jesus as the Christ, rebukes (epitiman) Him, unable to accept such a destiny.

Jesus, in turn, rebukes Peter sharply with the famous words: "Get behind me, Satan! For you are not thinking according to God, but according to men."

This moment leads us to a crucial truth: knowing Jesus is not simply about words, it is about living in obedience to Him. This is precisely what Jesus teaches in John 14:21:

“Whoever has my commandments and keeps them is the one who loves me. The one who loves me will be loved by my Father, and I will love him and reveal myself to him.”

Peter knew Jesus by name, but true knowledge of Christ comes through obedience and love. It is not enough to say “You are the Christ.” We must follow Him on His path, even when that path leads to the Cross.

The Turning of Jesus: A Public Correction and a Lesson for All

Before rebuking Peter, Jesus turns toward His disciples. Why does Mark include this detail? What could this gesture mean?

This movement suggests two important lessons:

Peter’s mistake was not just personal; it was a lesson for all disciples. By turning toward the others, Jesus makes this a public correction, ensuring that all disciples understand the truth about His mission. It was not just Peter who needed to learn that the Messiah must suffer; all disciples needed to abandon their false expectations of a victorious, earthly ruler.

How often do we, like Peter, try to lead Jesus rather than follow Him? How often do we dictate to God what He should do instead of trusting in His divine wisdom? Jesus’ gesture of turning reminds us that the lesson of the Cross is for all disciples, past, present, and future.

What do we learn from this dramatic exchange?

Knowing Jesus is not possible without the Cross;  we must understand His mission.  Many people today, like Peter, recognize Jesus as the Christ, but they struggle with His way, the way of the Cross. Jesus is not just a miracle worker or a moral teacher; He is the Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world through suffering and self-giving love.

True discipleship means embracing the Cross. When Jesus rebukes Peter, He is not rejecting him; He is correcting his worldly mindset. Peter wanted a victorious Messiah without the suffering. But Jesus shows us that there is no resurrection without the Cross. To follow Him means to surrender our own desires, our own expectations, and trust in God’s plan, even when it leads to suffering. And we know that this is not easy to accept.

Jesus calls us to think as God thinks.

The Greek word for “thinking” here is phroneis, which refers to a mindset, an attitude. Peter was thinking according to human wisdom, which avoids suffering and seeks power. But Jesus invites us to adopt God’s mindset; one that values love over power, sacrifice over self-preservation, and humility over pride.

Who Is Jesus to You? : Dear brothers and sisters, the question Jesus asked His disciples is the same question He asks each of us today:

“Who do you say that I am?”

It is not enough to know what others say about Him. It is not enough to repeat theological definitions. Each of us must answer personally. And if we truly believe that Jesus is the Christ, then we must also embrace His way, the way of love, service, and the Cross.

May the Holy Spirit give us the grace to see Christ as He truly is and to follow Him with unwavering faith. And may we never be a stumbling block like Peter but true disciples who walk in the footsteps of our crucified and risen Lord.

Amen!🙏🙏🙏