Single Focus – Mark 8:31-38
Jesus was was singularly focused on his mission. While we often think that his mission was about the cross – his mission was actually about living,
‘My purpose is to give life in all its fullness.’ John 10:10b (MSG)
From the beginning, Jesus preached life leading folks to a full life. His thrust was to alleviate suffering, to heal and cure, confronting injustice while revealing compassion and mercy. Early on, to the religious officials he refuted their claim that religious practices take precedent over addressing suffering. Sure, Jesus would have to go through the cross , but this was not his mission, his mission was life. Even along the path to Jerusalem, even as he experienced the brutality of the cross, his mission did not change, he was always singularly focused on life.
Our passage come just after Peter has made the proclamation that Jesus is the Messiah – now Jesus calls him Satan. Early on it was the religious leaders now it was Peter encouraging Jesus to tone down his rhetoric – Jesus would not let anyone keep him from the path of life (even it meant his death).
See you Sunday!
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