No Messenger Newsletter UFN (see News Section)

"He began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering."
(Mark 8:31)

Second Sunday in Lent

Jesus Predicts His Death and Resurrection

Mark 8:31 Then he began to teach them that the Son of Man must undergo great suffering, and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests, and the scribes, and be killed, and after three days rise again.
Mark 8:32 He said all this quite openly. And Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
Mark 8:33 But turning and looking at his disciples, he rebuked Peter and said, "Get behind me, Satan! For you are setting your mind not on divine things but on human things."

Take Up the Cross and Follow Him

Mark 8:34 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, "If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.
Mark 8:35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
Mark 8:36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?
Mark 8:37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?
Mark 8:38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels."

NSRV & Believer's Study Bible (BSB) Notes

[Mark 8:31] (vv. 8:31-10:52) In this section, which focuses primarily on Jesus' teaching of His disciples, there is a recurring structure which enables us to ascertain the author's intent. Three times Jesus predicts His own suffering and death (8:31-33; 9:30-32; 10:32-34). Following each of these predictions is a section on what it means to be a disciple of Christ. Jesus teaches His disciples that (contrary to current Jewish expectations) He is the Messiah whose true mission is to suffer and die for His people, and He teaches them that true discipleship means complete commitment to Him and selfless service for others.

[Mark 8:32] Peter's "rebuke" of Jesus was due to his still incomplete understanding of the true mission of the Messiah. Peter could not reconcile the idea of the suffering Messiah with the current Jewish notions. The O.T. had predicted a Messiah who would suffer and die for the sins of the people (cf. Isa. 53), and this message became the central focus for the early church (cf. Acts 17:2, 3).

[Mark 8:35] One of the apparent paradoxes of Scripture relates to the voluntary sacrifice of a man's life for the cause of Christ. The verse does not demand martyrdom in order to secure life. However, the passage does establish that men coming to Christ must give Him their lives in such totality that they retain no claim upon them. Having placed themselves forever in the hands of Christ, they immediately possess the abundant life.

Readings for week of March 6th
Third Sunday in Lent
First: Exodus 20: 1-17
Psalm 19
Second: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25
Gospel: John 2: 13-22

Sunday Worship Services at 9:00am and 11:00am (see News Section for details)
Adult Sunday School 9:45am to 10:30am Classroom 5
Youth Sunday School Suspended UFN

Tuesday & Thursday Bible Study (Academic Bldg, Rm 5 & Online) at 10:30 a.m. (see News Section for Details & Online Instructions)
Wednesday Holy Communion Service (Sanctuary) Noon [Suspended UFN]