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February 24, 2024

When Things Seem Impossible

Sandra Stogsdill Brown   |   Read Mark 8:31-38

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Lectionary Week
February 19–25, 2024
Scripture Overview

We cannot earn God’s love. Going back to the time of Abraham, God’s blessing has been based on faith. God chose Abraham for a covenant not because Abraham was perfect but because he believed God. The psalmist reminds his audience of their ancient relationship with God and expresses the hope that it will continue through future generations. In Romans, Paul reinforces the centrality of faith. Following the law was not bad, but no one should believe that following the law could earn God’s favor. Some of Jesus’ disciples share with him an experience that mystifies them. Trusting God means surrendering everything in faith.

Questions and Suggestions for Reflection

Read Genesis 17:1-7, 15-16. What is the basis of your relationship with God? How comfortable do you feel in it?
Read Psalm 22:23-31. Where do you find hope in troubling times?
Read Romans 4:13-25. How easily do you live in God’s grace? In what areas do you find yourself “reckoning” your righteousness?
Read Mark 9:2-9. When have you found it difficult to believe in things you may not fully understand? What helps you to trust in God?

Respond by posting a prayer.

Mark 8:31-38

31 Then Jesus began to teach his disciples: “The Human Onemust suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, chief priests, and the legal experts, and be killed, and then, after three days, rise from the dead.” 32 He said this plainly. But Peter took hold of Jesus and, scolding him, began to correct him. 33 Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, then sternly corrected Peter: “Get behind me, Satan. You are not thinking God’s thoughts but human thoughts.” 34 After calling the crowd together with his disciples, Jesus said to them, “All who want to come after me must say no to themselves, take up their cross, and follow me. 35 All who want to save their lives will lose them. But all who lose their lives because of me and because of the good news will save them. 36 Why would people gain the whole world but lose their lives? 37 What will people give in exchange for their lives? 38 Whoever is ashamed of me and my words in this unfaithful and sinful generation, the Human One will be ashamed of that person when he comes in the Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Unless otherwise indicated, scripture quotations are from the Common English Bible. Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible. Used by permission.

After becoming the first disciple to declare that Jesus is the Messiah, Peter turns around and rebukes Jesus for saying that he must suffer, be rejected, and be killed. Some interpret this encounter to show that Peter wants Jesus to be a different kind of Messiah—the kind who would get...

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Jesus, thank you for the call to lose my life for you and to set my mind on God’s kingdom. Give me courage as I choose to follow you. Amen.


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