Mark 8, The Message (Let it soak in all day today. I am.)
The Messiah
27 Jesus and his disciples headed out for the villages around Caesarea Philippi. As they walked, he asked, “Who do the people say I am?”

28 “Some say ‘John the Baptizer,’” they said. “Others say ‘Elijah.’ Still others say ‘one of the prophets.’”

29 He then asked, “And you—what are you saying about me? Who am I?”

Peter gave the answer: “You are the Christ, the Messiah.”

30-32 Jesus warned them to keep it quiet, not to breathe a word of it to anyone. He then began explaining things to them: “It is necessary that the Son of Man proceed to an ordeal of suffering, be tried and found guilty by the elders, high priests, and religion scholars, be killed, and after three days rise up alive.” He said this simply and clearly so they couldn’t miss it.

32-33 But Peter grabbed him in protest. Turning and seeing his disciples wavering, wondering what to believe, Jesus confronted Peter. “Peter, get out of my way! Satan, get lost! You have no idea how God works.”

34-37 Calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “Anyone who intends to come with me has to let me lead. You’re not in the driver’s seat; I am. Don’t run from suffering; embrace it. Follow me and I’ll show you how. Self-help is no help at all. Self-sacrifice is the way, my way, to saving yourself, your true self. What good would it do to get everything you want and lose you, the real you? What could you ever trade your soul for?

38 “If any of you are embarrassed over me and the way I’m leading you when you get around your fickle and unfocused friends, know that you’ll be an even greater embarrassment to the Son of Man when he arrives in all the splendor of God, his Father, with an army of the holy angels.”

Questions for self evaluation:
WHAT are we trading our very souls for?
WHO is in control? No, seriously, WHO IS in control of everything we are and do?
Do we EMBRACE suffering as part of our maturing process…or run from it, complain about it, and give up because of it?
What is our sacrifice for others quotient? Or do we look out for self first? Do we only sacrifice when it is comfortable and fits into our schedule?
When, where, what, how often do I communicate (talking to God and listening to Him talk with me) with God?
Am I fickle? How focused am I on my Savior and Lord?

Dear Heavenly Father, You sent Jesus, The Messiah with a very specific mission and we are grateful You did for we would not be able to come to You this morning in prayer and repentance had He not come. Thank You. Thank you for salvation because of sacrifice, mercy and grace. Go with us. Help us stay focused in the world that clamors for our attention. I give my life back to You. Take my life and shape me, then work through me as You see fit. You are God…and we are not. In Jesus Name, Amen