We often reprint prior devotions that now reflect on the coming lectionary texts. This is a reprint from a devotion originally published on September 7, 2015.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, help us to listen even when the news is bad. May we remember always you are the Christ. Amen Reading: Mark 8: 27-38 (Click to read text) Stop and GROW: After reading the text, discuss/ponder the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America's Book of Faith questions, which are part of Camp Mount Luther's GROW Time with campers. QUESTION 1: What scares, confuses, challenges, or doesn’t make sense to me in this text? QUESTION 2: What delights me in this text or is my favorite part of the story? QUESTION 3: What stories or memories does this text stir in me? QUESTION 4: What is God up to in this text? Reflection: Peter had just gotten done saying to Jesus, "You are the Christ." Next thing we know, Jesus is sharing difficult news and Peter is telling him to stop talking. Peter knew Jesus was of God but he did not have in mind the things of God. Instead he had in mind the things of men and he just did not want to hear anymore of what Jesus was saying. I recently sat with friend as she shared difficult news of her husband's health. It's bad and there is no way to make it better. Surely it was hard for her to hear the prognosis from the doctor but she could not ask him to stop. She listened. As much as the words were hard for me to hear, I could not ask her to stop. I listened. Jesus spoke plainly about what was going to happen. My friend spoke plainly of what was going to happen. With the things of men in mind, neither are bearable. With the things of God in mind, we can still say, "You are the Christ." --Ruth Gates
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