Jesus' Invitation

by The Reverend Christy Shain-Hendricks

For Your Reading: Mark 8:31-38 

It is unthinkable that this rabbi, prophet, son of Man would suffer. Peter and others may have thought the Son of Man might suffer in some way with them, that the Son of Man might suffer in some indistinct manner- but from heaven, not here and not now. It is unthinkable that the Son of Man must suffer and die here and now...unthinkable...because things were not to go that way. Ah, it must be that Jesus has been taken hold by a demon or some evil, an evil within him that must be rebuked. So Peter takes it upon himself to do just that. Disregarding all convention, he jumps in to exorcise and correct his rabbi. Jesus' response is swift and appropriate: "Get behind me, Satan." Get behind me all you who align with evil, with the power at work in this world system. Get behind me all you who align with the power that seeks its own way--that power that works against God and destroys the creatures of God--rather than God's way.

Then the challenge, not just to Peter but to all who said they would follow, to all who said they would surrender their own plans and agendas to trust Jesus and his: Jesus looks at all of them and says, "you savor not the things of God but the things of this world." You are caught, ensnared, bound...setting your minds and affections on this world system, committing yourselves to the ways and strategies of human systems. You have forgotten who you are.

The struggle is real. The struggle is real for Jesus...if this cup could pass. But Peter is caught and cannot see beyond, cannot see or trust that Jesus moved within the will of God. Rather, he assumed a manifestation of evil that required exorcism. Jesus responds with a rebuke of shocking clarity, revealing the depth of Peter's ignorance and presumption. And while Jesus turns toward the crowd--the people gathered at a bit of a distance around Jesus and the disciples--he does not leave.

Truly, it is profound love. Jesus is willing and remains in relationship with Peter and those gathered. Jesus does not leave them in the dust that inevitably falls from his feet. Rather, Jesus calls, invites them to trust and to see, to give up their own agendas, plans, strategies and trust Jesus and his that they might be free and remember who they are--God's beloved people who are the light of the world.

Jesus calls to us, too. Across two thousand years of history Jesus calls us to trust, to surrender to the reign of God and to remember who we are. Jesus has not left us in the dust. Truly, it is profound love.

How will you return to the Love of God given to us in our Savior Jesus today? Dust and all Jesus awaits you.

For Your Prayer: Be quiet and pray with the collect for today-- O God, whose glory it is always to have mercy: Be gracious to all who have gone astray from your ways, and bring them again with penitent hearts and steadfast faith to embrace and hold fast the unchangeable truth of your Word, Jesus Christ your Son; who with you and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

For Your Reflection: How is God inviting you to trust and see him? What are you being called to surrender?

The Rev. Christy Shain-Hendricks serves as rector of St. John's in Breckenridge and as the regional missioner for the northwest region.