Mark 7:31-9:1 A lot happens in this section of Mark’s narrative of the life of Jesus. Jesus heals several people, feeds another large group of men with only 7 loaves of bread, Peter proclaims Jesus to be the Messiah but then rapidly faces Jesus’ rebuke for his own rebuke of Jesus’ talk of the need that he suffer and die at the hands of the Jewish authorities.

What stands out in this chapter is that Jesus had a clear idea of what needed to happen in his life. Knowledge of the future is reserved for God and yet Jesus had that knowledge. He speaks clearly about what would happen and even who would carry these things out, he understood the purpose for which he had come. As clear as it was for him it doesn’t seem to have been very clear for Peter and the other disciples. They were having a hard time understanding that this man who was capable of doing so much good for the nation would actually have to die. And Peter being as bold as he was wasn’t afraid to let Jesus know of his disapproval. The conversation he had must have been quite something (Mark 8:32).

Jesus would have nothing to do with human ambition. The purpose of his life wasn’t anywhere near that which Peter was proposing to him. Peter wanted human power and authority for Jesus while Jesus was talking about things like death and suffering. The two didn’t match up.

Now Jesus becomes very clear about what was important and what was required to be one of his followers. This was the time to be clear with people what it was going to take to be his disciple. In Mark 8:34-38 the cost of following Jesus is laid out. The disciples had experienced the upside of following him during the months and weeks prior to this declaration. There had been many miracles and wonderful teaching about the Kingdom of God that had given everyone real hope that things could get better if they followed this teacher. But now Jesus makes the point that there isn’t only a benefit plan, there’s also a price to pay. Jesus uses words like self-denial, carrying a cross and losing one’s life to gain life to describe what it will mean to follow him. There’s not much glory in that!

It’s important to be cautious of anyone who presents a picture of discipleship that doesn’t include this perspective. Being a follower of Jesus, discipleship, is not only blessings. This is what Peter and the disciples were thinking and expecting until now. Unlike their vision of things Jesus’ vision also included a cost factor that needs to be taken into account today just as much as in the days of Jesus earthly ministry.