Lesson 5253

 (Lesson 5253)(06-24-26) Mark 8:31-38 

   “And he began to teach them, that the Son of man must suffer many things, and be rejected of the elders, and of the chief priests, and scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again. And he spake that saying openly. And Peter took him, and began to rebuke him. But when he had turned about and looked on his disciples, he rebuked Peter, saying, Get thee behind me, Satan: for thou savourest not the things that be of God, but the things that be of men. And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” 

 

    In today’s quote, Jesus explained that He would soon suffer horribly, be killed, and then be resurrected three days later. When Peter tried to object, Jesus corrected him harshly and even called the man who He chose as the foundation of His church, Satan. He then told His followers that true believers must set aside all selfishness and be willing to risk their lives for Him and His new gospel of faith. He emphasized that gaining everything the world offers means nothing if a person loses their own soul. He warned that He would be ashamed of anyone who is ashamed of Him when He returns in heavenly glory. ~

Lesson 5252

 (Lesson 5252)(06-23-26) Mark 8:27-30 

 

   “And Jesus went out, and his disciples, into the towns of Caesarea Philippi: and by the way he asked his disciples, saying unto them, Whom do men say that I am? And they answered, John the Baptist; but some say, Elias; and others, One of the prophets. And he saith unto them, But whom say ye that I am? And Peter answereth and saith unto him, Thou art the Christ. And he charged them that they should tell no man of him.” 

 

    Today’s quote relates that while walking with His disciples toward the villages of Caesarea Philippi, Jesus asks them who the people think He is, to which they responded with names like John the Baptist, Elijah, or one of the prophets. He then turned the question directly on them, and when Peter confidently answers that He is the Messiah, Jesus ordered the group not to tell anyone about Him.

Lesson 5251

 (Lesson 5251)(06-22-26) Mark 8:22-26 

   “And he cometh to Bethsaida; and they bring a blind man unto him, and besought him to touch him. And he took the blind man by the hand, and led him out of the town; and when he had spit on his eyes, and put his hands upon him, he asked him if he saw ought. And he looked up, and said, I see men as trees, walking. After that he put his hands again upon his eyes, and made him look up: and he was restored, and saw every man clearly. And he sent him away to his house, saying, Neither go into the town, nor tell it to any in the town.” 

 

    Today’s quote relates that when Jesus went into Bethsaida, some people brought Him a blind man to receive his sight. Jesus took the man by the hand and spat on his eyes. When Jesus asked if he could see anything, the man said he saw people who looked like walking trees. Jesus then placed His hands on the man's eyes, which completely opened his vision. Jesus then sent the man straight home with orders not to go into the town or talk to anyone. ~ 

Lesson 5250

 (Lesson 5250)(06-21-26) Mark 8:14-21 

   “Now the disciples had forgotten to take bread, neither had they in the ship with them more than one loaf. And he charged them, saying, Take heed, beware of the leaven of the Pharisees, and of the leaven of Herod. And they reasoned among themselves, saying, It is because we have no bread. And when Jesus knew it, he saith unto them, Why reason ye, because ye have no bread? perceive ye not yet, neither understand? have ye your heart yet hardened? Having eyes, see ye not? and having ears, hear ye not? and do ye not remember? When I brake the five loaves among five thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? They say unto him, Twelve. And when the seven among four thousand, how many baskets full of fragments took ye up? And they said, Seven. And he said unto them, How is it that ye do not understand?” 

 

     Today’s quote relates that the disciples realized they had forgotten to pack food, leaving them with just one loaf of bread in the boat. When Jesus warned them to guard themselves against the toxic influence of the Pharisees and Herod, they completely misunderstood and assumed He was complaining about their lack of food. Annoyed by the absense of spiritual insight, Jesus reminded them of how He easily fed thousands with plenty of leftovers, asking them how they could still so completely miss His point. ~