What Jesus Did! 'Don't Tell!' — Mark 8:29-30

Friday, May 24, 2024

Then [Jesus] asked [the disciples], "But who do you say I am?"

Peter replied, "You are the Messiah."

But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

— Mark 8:29-30 NLT

Key Thought

Jesus' warning seems bizarre to many folks today. However, if we follow the story of Jesus in the Gospel of Mark, we realize that the people who hear him want to define what it means for Jesus to be Messiah and Son of God rather than letting God define it. However, Jesus warns those who catch a glimpse of his true identity not to tell. He wants to define what God wants his role to be as Messiah (the Christ) and Son of God. That means going to a cross, something that was beyond the disciples' comprehension. (Notice Peter's reaction to this revelation in the verses that follow. [1]) The basic message for you and me is this: We must let Jesus define his Messiahship and then re-define our lives as we follow him.

[1] Mark 8:31-32.

Today's Prayer

O Father, teach me to understand fully who your Son is and to follow him without reservation, no matter what the personal cost may be. In Jesus' name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

Have thoughts on this devotional? Leave a comment

11 Related Resources by Heartlight

Mark 8:29
Devo: Today's Verse
""But what about you?" [Jesus] asked. "Who do you say I am?" Peter answered, "You are the Christ.""
You Are the Messiah!
Devo: What Jesus Did!
"Then [Jesus] asked [the disciples], "But who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah.""
The Ultimate Question
Illustration of Mark 8:29
Inspirational illustration of Mark 8:29 -- 'But what about you?' he asked. 'Who do you say I am?' Peter answered, 'You are the Christ.'
When Right Words Are Very Wrong
Article by Phil Ware
Right answers can never substitute for right living. Phil reminds us that having right answers means very little if we don't treat people like Jesus did.
See All 11 Related Resources about Mark 8:29-30

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 8:29-30 NLT — Then [Jesus] asked [the disciples], "But who do you say I am?" Peter replied, "You are the Messiah." But Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him.

Other Devotionals from Heartlight for Friday, May 24, 2024

A Year with Jesus
A devotional to help reclaim Jesus as the daily Lord of our lives.
''Father, Forgive Them''
"Dear Child of God, Few things are more difficult for My beloved followers to read than the account of My crucifixion. In the verses below, this is..."
God's Holy Fire
A daily devotional about the work of the Holy Spirit in our lives.
'Life-Giving Spirit' (1 Co. 15:45)
"The Scriptures tell us, "The first man, Adam, became a living person." But the last Adam — that is, Christ — is a life-giving Spirit."
Unstoppable!
A one-year devotional guide through the book of Acts.
'God of Preservation' (Acts 7:11-16)
"[As Stephen continued his defense, he pointed to God's faithfulness through Joseph:] "But a famine came upon Egypt and Canaan. There was great misery,..."
Morning & Evening
The classic twice-daily devotional from Charles H. Spurgeon.
Morning Thought: John 19:16
"He had been all night in agony, he had spent the early morning at the hall of Caiaphas, he had been hurried from Caiaphas to Pilate, from Pilate to..."

About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

More What Jesus Did!