“But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’ Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: ‘Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’”
- Mark 8:33-34 -

Yesterday, Jesus' healing of the blind was first to blurry vision and then complete vision. The disciples' spiritual eyes were opened in the same way. Peter made a confession of faith to Jesus saying, "You are the Christ". Yet he didn't know what it meant. Jesus taught how he will be the Christ, through the cross (32). He also taught how we should follow Him by denying ourselves and carrying our own cross. As Paul said we should crucify ourselves with Jesus and live in Christ (Gal 2:20). In this life, our blurry sight was healed so that we clearly see who Jesus is. Through self-denial and taking up our cross, we come to know Him and we even become like Christ.

Let's remember: 'A Christ-like life is a cross-shaped life' (Encounter with God: 2/25 Mk 8:27-9:1 devotion).

Prayer: Dear Lord, please continually touch us so that we may open our spiritual eyes and know you more clearly.