Mark 8:27-38

 27Jesus and his disciples went on to the villages around Caesarea Philippi. On
the way he asked them, “Who do people say I am?” 28They replied, “Some say
John the Baptist; others say Elijah; and still others, one of the prophets.” 29”But
what about you?” he asked. “Who do you say I am?” Peter answered, “You are
the Christ.” 30Jesus warned them not to tell anyone about him. 31He then began
to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected
by the elders, chief priests and teachers of the law, and that he must be killed
and after three days rise again. 32He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took
him aside and began to rebuke him. 33But when Jesus turned and looked at his
disciples, he rebuked Peter. “Get behind me, Satan!” he said. “You do not have
in mind the things of God, but the things of men.” 34Then he called the crowd
to him along with his disciples and said: “If anyone would come after me, he
must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 35For whoever wants to
save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will
save it. 36What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, yet forfeit his soul?
37Or what can a man give in exchange for his soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of
me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will
be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Meditation
1. When Peter made this confession of faith “You are the Christ”, he has
only taken the first step. The next step is a lifelong journey to live out this
confession fully and authentically.
2. That’s the same with us. After our confession of faith, Jesus calls us to live a
life to “deny himself and take up his cross and follow” Jesus.
3. In my journey of faith, which step have I taken? Am I still lingering at the first
step? Or am I walking toward the goal of being sanctified and made holy?
What is it that has kept me from moving ahead? What am I afraid of?
4. Pray for courage and faith to walk on this journey. Ask for God’s guidance
that I may willingly follow.

Personal Note:
The Christian faith is a journey.  I like the way John Bunyan described it in the book the Pilgrim Progress.  It is an adventure full of trials, difficulties, excitement, heart break, danger.  It is worth it as we have God's protection and guidance.  When I think about all the wonderful things that happens to humanity, it always come at a cost of suffering, perseverance, and a committed group of people willing to sacrifice for a cause.

What is it mean to me at this stage of my life?  I see that being the pastor and walking through the up and downs of the life of the teenagers a great challenge.  They are going through various difficulties, which I personally did not bear when I was young, and I have compassion on them to guide them and be a source of peace for them through the love of Jesus Christ.  If I really love them, I would need to journey and walk through those "valley of the shadow of death" with them and I need prayer for courage and faith to walk on this journey.  It is by God's grace that I may willingly follow.