... then I took Him aside and rebuked him.

"From Then On"Scripture: Mark 8:33-38

Right in the middle of the Gospel of Mark, Peter has a moment of revelation. He sees Jesus for who He truly is—the Messiah, the Son of the Living God. Jesus asks, "Do you see me? Do you know who I am?" And in that moment, Peter does.

I, too, have had those moments. Moments where my heart is stirred, where the truth of Jesus feels undeniable. I have walked with Him long enough, heard His words enough times, witnessed His faithfulness in my life enough to know—He is my Savior. My King.

But then comes the turning point. "From then on," Mark 8:33 tells us. That’s when things get serious. That’s when Jesus makes it clear what it truly means to follow Him.

He says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” (Mark 8:34)

And like Peter, I resist. I rebuke Jesus—not with my words, but with my reluctance. I rebuke Him when I push back against suffering. When I resist surrender. When I try to negotiate an easier road.

I don’t want to walk towards Calvary. I don’t want the pain. I don’t want to lose control. And though Jesus speaks to me openly, honestly, plainly, I still think I know better.

I want the glory without the cross.

I want the crown without the cost.

I want the Savior, but I struggle with surrender.

How many times have I assumed I have a better plan for my life than God does? One moment I declare my love for Him, and the next I resist His path for me. I am quick to trust when life is easy, but when suffering comes, I find myself asking, "Why, Lord?"

But Jesus turns and looks at me—just as He did with Peter—and says, "You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns." (Mark 8:33)

I am often too casual in my relationship with Jesus. I take His grace for granted. I forget His Lordship over my life. I question His ways, doubt His wisdom, and cry out in frustration when things don’t go as I planned. And yet, He is patient. He is merciful. He is loving.

Today, I repent.

Today, I repent.

I repent of resisting the ways of God, even when I don’t understand them.

I repent of trying to shape Jesus into a Savior of my own design.

I repent of my fear of suffering, my desire for control, and my reluctance to surrender.

I repent of rebuking Jesus with my doubts, my anger, and my hesitation to follow Him fully.

Jesus is a mystery, but I know this—He is the One.

Like Peter, I want to see Jesus as He truly is. Not as a Savior who fits my plans, but as the Son of the Living God.

So today, I choose Him.

Today, I set my heart on God's plan, not my own.

Today, I surrender my resistance and trust in His ways.

Today, I lay down my life so that I may find the life He has for me.

Today, I follow—even if the road leads to Calvary.

"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" (Mark 8:36)

Lord, don’t let me forfeit what truly matters. Take my life. Take my plans. Take my heart. Even when I don’t understand, even when I resist, I am yours. Amen

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Blessings

~ Sylvia