Second Sunday in Lent, 2024

Mark 8:31-38

Rev. Neli Miranda 

Today's Gospel brings us to the crucial moment that marks the beginning of the Lenten journey, the decision to take up the cross and follow Jesus to Jerusalem. Mark tells us that while they are in Caesarea of Philippi, Jesus announces that he will assume his commitment to the last consequences.  He is going to proclaim God’s message in Jerusalem, where rejection, suffering, and death await him. Not going to Jerusalem would have been inconsistent with his mission.

Jesus’ announcement scandalizes his disciples! They can barely understand what Jesus is saying, his announcement goes against their messianic expectations.  In the preceding verses, Jesus and his disciples have had a talk about Jesus’ identity. During the talk, Jesus poses a question to them “…who do you say that I am?” to which Peter responds, “You are the Messiah.” In Mark’s gospel, Jesus does not praise Peter for his answer like he does in Matthew’s. Instead, Jesus sternly orders the disciples not to tell anyone about him. And, just after that, Jesus begins to teach about his suffering, rejection, death, and resurrection, “Jesus began to teach his disciples that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again” (8,31).

Just before, Jesus had ordered his disciples not to speak of him as the Messiah, but here, he speaks openly about his suffering, rejection, death, and his rise. With this announcement Jesus clarifies his identity and mission and distances himself from the image of a powerful, military Messiah who heads to Jerusalem to seize power and control. He presents himself as the prophet of God who will confront the existing powers that control Jerusalem.  However, it seems that this is not yet clear to the disciples, who attempt to change Jesus’ mind. It is Peter, who taking Jesus aside, dares to rebuke him. In response, Jesus turns and looks at his disciples and rebuking Peter says, “Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things” (8,33).  Jesus’ use of the strong expression “Satan” signifies opposition or temptation. Most certainly, Peter and the disciples had become adversaries of God for they wanted to detract Jesus from the way of God; their minds had aligned with human concerns and interests, rather than with God’s will. 

When Jesus notices that his disciples hesitate, he gathers them and others who are walking along with them to clarify the radical call of discipleship, “If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me...” (8,34). This is not the way of the throne and the crown but the way of the cross!!

Sisters and brothers, what does it mean for us to take up our cross and follow Jesus?  What does it mean today to follow Jesus to Jerusalem?  When we begin our Lenten journey, we hear the radical call of Jesus who challenges us to follow him. We face the dilemma of moving forward towards Jerusalem or staying on the path. Jesus’ call is an “all or nothing” principle; there is no intermediate state because we cannot be “half a disciple”—we are totally committed and identified with Jesus’ mission or not at all!  Our decision to follow Jesus to Jerusalem signifies that we understand his mission to proclaim justice and confront the evil powers who oppose God—who oppose justice.  Taking up the cross and following Jesus means that we put aside our own desires and interests and fully follow him to the last consequences; and, that we commit to reject worldly power, status, and comfort in favor of justice and peace.

Sisters and brothers, may this Lenten journey guide us to an encounter with Jesus, to listen to and commit to his radical call. May we understand and embrace the way of cross. May we continually commit to proclaim God in Jerusalem, to confront the evil powers that rule us today. May we continue to proclaim God in our time and be raised with Jesus at the end of our Lenten journey. 

Amen.