After Jesus had rebuked Peter’s protest (i.e., against the truth of what Jesus had to do as the Messiah; see Mark 8:29-30), Jesus continued to teach the people, including a wider audience, it seems, than just His disciples.
Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Mark 8:34-38 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/mrk.8.34-38.NIV
While Jesus addressed this teaching to both “the crowd” and His disciples, I think that this message is the point that Peter needed to learn. The audience here, though, also suggests that Peter wasn’t the only one who needed to learn this lesson! I know that I do.
And, what is that lesson? We have Jesus’ teachings recorded here in Scripture, but I might paraphrase it like this:
- Following Jesus includes giving up our own selfish interests in this life. However, when we give up on our own plan (whether self-preservation or self-indulgence) and accept Jesus’ direction, we get to truly live.
- This choice is ultimately a matter of practical priorities, though. This old world is destined to be replaced, and so it makes a lot more sense to invest in a good eternity, rather than wasting time and effort on what won’t last, at the cost of our soul.
- And, part of how we participate in an abundant life with Jesus [see John 10:10] is by listening to Him and believing what He said. Peter felt a need to “correct” Jesus, rather than having a humble attitude that knew Jesus was always truthful and correct, and accepting Jesus’ words even when they didn’t fit Peter’s preconceptions. Humility and acceptance of Jesus’ words is good for us, too!
The Pharisees didn’t agree with Jesus’ teachings, and pushed back (see Mark 8:11-12). Peter didn’t agree with Jesus’ teachings, and pushed back (see Mark 8:29-30). In the end, though, Jesus was – and is – always right. He had the authority – and still has the authority – to teach and to tell others what to do. It is a blessing for us, though, that He also loved the world so much that His teachings lead us in the best possible life that we can experience.
As a result, we must not let false, worldly, destructive ideas grow, like an overzealous lump of yeast-ridden bread dough (see Mark 8:15). A commentator [Matthew Henry] pointed out that evil forces hide the consequences that result from sin. Conversely, Jesus clearly explained that sacrifice and trials would be expected from those who followed Him. Sin offers short-term opportunities in return for long-term consequences. Jesus asks His followers to endure short-term suffering in return for eternal joy. This is one situation where waiting really pays off.
And, the eternal joy that awaits followers of Jesus isn’t pale, thin, or trivial. Matthew Henry wrote, “It is looked upon to be some kind of recompence to those who lose their lives in the service of their prince and country, to have their memories honoured and their families provided for; but what is that to the recompence which Christ makes in eternal life to all that die for him?”. That is, even the respect and honor bestowed to soldiers who gave their lives for their country – while fitting and significant – are only a shadow of the blessings that God provides – and will provide – for those who give their lives to Jesus.
So, in the end, we must set aside human concepts that don’t align with God’s, and follow His commands instead. When people tell God what to do, rather than listening to God and doing what He says, things have gotten all backwards. Let’s not be Christians who make that same mistake!
From Sunday School lesson prepared for October 19, 2025
References:
- Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
- Matthew Henry Commentary on the Whole Bible (Complete). Matthew Henry. 1706, via BibleGateway.com.
Those Who Sin Differently 