In Mark 1, Satan tempted Jesus in the wilderness, offering him all the kingdoms of the world without the suffering of the cross. Here in chapter 8, Peter is wanting the same thing. So Jesus calls him Satan, as he's setting his mind on the things of man.

When it comes to Jesus's love and compassion, we should follow his example. But should we also follow him in calling it as he sees it? Calling the Pharisees whitewashed tombs, calling Peter Satan... Yes, we should. We follow Jesus in his uncompromising commitment to righteousness, holiness! "Be ye holy as I am holy!" (1 Peter 1:16)

We need to be kind and loving, but also be bold in our hunger for righteousness, because our enemy is bold in his pursuit!

When we oppose the kingdom of darkness, the darkness hates us. Satan despises the exclusivity Jesus demands. Following Christ means rejecting the world; this is basic Christianity.

v34... To follow him, we must deny ourselves and take up his cross. It's not a requirement for salvation, but a sign that salvation has occurred.

God is very forgiving, but also perfectly holy. If someone has walked away from God, we shouldn't give them false comfort that they'll be fine. 1 John 2:19... They left us because they weren't of us. We need to plead with people who have walked away from following Christ, from gathering with the church!

v35... Want to save yourself? Lose yourself. Be all in!

v36-37... Our soul has more worth than the whole world! Taking up his cross is hard, but your soul is worth much more than what you'll be giving up.

v38... Ashamed of Jesus? Rejecting his teachings, his word, is rejecting Jesus himself. If we do this, he'll then be ashamed of us.

9v1... He may be talking about the coming of Pentecost.

A few thoughts...

1. Christ over all!

The world hates Jesus and those who act like him. The darkness hates the light. We have to choose, live for our own popularity, or for the glory of God? Proverbs 29:25... Trust in the Lord. Do we blend into the darkness, or for to this world, be born again, and stand in the light?

2. Paradox...

For Jesus to win, he has to die. Same for us! To be the greatest, you must be the least... To be first, you must be last... The path to happiness is to focus on... Happiness? Nope! Give your life to others, and you'll start receiving.

Christianity is unique; it's so different from everything else. We don't win the war by fighting it, but by surrendering our will to God's. Bless those who persecute you. Pray for your enemies! It's opposite everything in the world. It's a wisdom that's come from outside of us.

Can we do this? It's impossible, except with God. We'll never adhere to his teachings perfectly. But 9:1 says the Holy Spirit can help us do it! We can do all things through Christ who strengthens us!

We cannot live as faithful Christians in the energy of our own flesh. We need the power of God! To draw us to him, and to keep us in him!

Luke 11:13... The heavenly Father will give the holy Spirit to those who ask! Fall on your face and ask him to equip you, a sinner!