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This is an important question, one that forms the climax to<br />
<strong>Mark</strong>’s gospel. As we progress further through the wonderful<br />
news about Jesus, the definition becomes clearer—especially<br />
as the picture of Jesus himself becomes clearer.<br />
One day Jesus asked his disciples, “Who do people say<br />
that I am?” At the time, there were so many expectations about<br />
who the Messiah would be. Most of the Jews thought he<br />
would be a conquering king. So when Jesus talked about<br />
suffering <strong>and</strong> dying, Peter went a little crazy, rebuking Jesus for<br />
saying such a thing!<br />
But, Jesus rebuked him back, accusing Peter of not having<br />
his heart in the right place. In this account, he revealed the<br />
answer to our question, setting the stage for the rest of this<br />
lesson <strong>and</strong> gospel account: Following Jesus means dying.<br />
Discover the Heart of God<br />
• After reading <strong>Mark</strong> 8:22–9:50, what did you notice,<br />
perhaps for the first time? What questions do you<br />
have? What did you learn about the heart of God?<br />
• What did the disciples say when Jesus asked them<br />
who the people said he was? Who did they,<br />
through Peter, say he was? Once the disciples<br />
voiced their realization of Jesus’ identity, what did<br />
Jesus tell them?
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