"Why Did They Turn on Jesus?" March 5 Readings: Numbers 21-22, Mark 8:22–9:1, Psalm 32:1–7, Proverbs 8:3-4

  

Reading the Bible in 2025

Each day this year we will read a selection from the Old Testament, the New Testament, a portion of the Psalms, and part of Proverbs. By the end of the year, you will have read the entire Bible. We read this way to give you a bit of variety. 

NOTE: If you get behind, do not give up. Read today's readings and try to catch up when you have a chance. The goal is not to "accomplish a task" but to meet God in his word. Read the word. Also, if you are short on time, READ GOD'S WORD and skip my devotional!

Bible Readings: Numbers 21-22, Mark 8:22–9:1, Psalm 32:1–7, Proverbs 8:3-4

    Scriptures linked to Bible Gateway in ESV version 

Daily Devotional: Why Did They Turn on Jesus?

Why would anyone reject Jesus? Why? Someone who taught with such wisdom and power, who healed the sick, cast out demons, raised the dead, who helped so many people in so many ways? He never hurt anyone, though he did challenge hypocrites, deflate the haughty and rebuke those who profaned the temple. He fed thousands. He was a man of compassion and goodness. How did this man end up on a cross?

As we begin our reading in Mark 8 today, Jesus is at the height of his popularity. Thousands are following him around the Sea of Galilee and he is not disappointing them. Miracles and taking place and all of Israel is buzzing about the man from Nazareth.

But it would not be too many days in the future that he would walk alone down the streets of Jerusalem carrying his cross, stumbling under its weight, beaten beyond recognition, ridiculed by the crowds, facing crucifixion alone. The crowds would be long gone, back in their homes - the healed still healed, the formerly demon-possessed still freed, but now back about their lives as if the Nazarene had never passed by. The small cadre of about 120 disciples was in hiding and even the 12 had fled, cowering in fear. Worse, one of them had sold him into the hands of his enemies. It seemed that Jesus' fifteen minutes of fame had come and gone.

What changed? How did the most popular man in Israel become the most pitiful, the lonely man on Golgotha crying out to God in agony?

It started in this passage when Jesus began to focus on why he came, why he did miracles, and what it meant to be his disciple. When he laid out the requirements of discipleship many who had loved the "show" turned away.

First, Jesus started talking about his own death and even his closest disciples were upset about that kind of talk.

And he began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders and the chief priests and the scribes and be killed, and after three days rise again. Mark 8:31

They all had visions of glory in their minds. It is clear that even Jesus' closest disciples, those who loved him the most, had no idea the kind of kingdom he was on earth to establish. Jesus was their meal ticket, their healer, their path to freedom, to casting off the yoke of Roman oppression. He would gather Israel together and lead them in a revolution! But Jesus made it clear that he had not come to establish a political kingdom (this time - that will come at his next appearing), but that he came to walk the Way of the Cross, to lay down his life for the sins of the world. 

It got even worse. Not only did Jesus intend to walk the way of the Cross, but he demanded that those who would follow him must walk that path as well. 

If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel's will save it. Mark 8:34-35

Following Jesus is not just about miraculous meals, but about freedom from illness, disease, or demons. It is about dying to self and denying our own wills, our own ambitions, and desires, our own plans. It is about following Jesus on the Way of the Cross. 

Thousands of people who loved the meals, enjoyed the show, and rejoiced at the healings, wanted no part of Jesus' call to walk the path of self-denial and crucifixion. NO WAY! But Jesus offered no plan B. "If anyone..." You. Me. Anyone! If we want to follow Jesus, we must walk with him on the Way of the Cross!

Father, let me not be one who seeks only the blessings that come from your hand, but shrinks back from what you demand. May I walk with Jesus on the Way of the Cross. As he laid down his life for me and for all humanity, may I deny myself, take up my cross and follow him!

Consider God's Word:

Which of these four passages spoke most clearly to you today? 

Is there sin in your life that needs to be confessed and dealt with that was revealed in one of these passages? 

Is there something in your life that needs to change?

Is there a struggle in your life that one of these passages spoke to? 

Are you willing to die to your selfish ambitions and desires to walk the way of Christ?
Remember that Christ never offered a discounted call - he demands that all of his disciples deny themselves and take up their cross.