Discussion Question 1:

In Mark 8:26-10:45, a new understanding of Jesus begins to emerge. In chapter 8 verse 29, Jesus asks the disciples who they believe he is, to which they reply, “The Messiah.” Jesus then begins to teach them exactly what the purpose of the Messiah is. Many up until this point believed that the purpose of the Messiah was to conquer the current rulers and to usher in a new kingdom. However, Jesus describes 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.” Peter’s response is to rebuke Jesus. Jesus to in turn rebuke him, for his mind is set “not on divine things but on human things.” Clearly, there is a divine plan that is much bigger than the disciples understand at this point.

Throughout the next several chapters, Jesus continually reminds the disciples of this future that he has described.  In chapter 10 verse 45, Jesus tells them, “the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” This statement sums up one of the major components that is described in this section. Several times Jesus tells his disciples that the last shall be first and the first shall be last. Therefore, whoever “wants to be first must be last of all and servant of all.” Jesus will later exemplify this through the future that he has prophesied: that he, the Son of Man shall be rejected and killed, in order to “give his life a ransom for many.” By dying and rising three days later, Jesus completes the divine plan through which anyone who believes can be saved.

In chapter 10 starting in verse 17, a rich man who has followed the law since he was a boy asks what he must to do get into heaven. Jesus tells the man that he must sell all his possessions and follow him, for “it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle than for someone who is rich to enter the kingdom of God.” The disciples are astounded at the this, and question, “then who can be saved?” Jesus replies, “for mortals it is impossible, but not for God: for God all things are possible.” This answer alludes to God’s divine plan through the Messiah, that anyone is able to be saved because he will “give his life a ransom for many,” as was stated earlier. What must one do to receive salvation then? In chapter 9 starting in verse 14, a story is told of Jesus driving a demon out of a boy. During this story, the father of the boy asks Jesus, “if you are able to do anything, have pity on us and help us.” To this request, Jesus replies, “all things can be done for the one who believes,” and then drives out the evil spirit