Pr. Jon Niketh, preaching

Three weeks ago we heard John’s gospel’s version of Peter’s confession of faith. This week we hear Mark’s version, when Peter says, “You are the Messiah.” In John, the stumbling block is Jesus’ invitation to eat his flesh, given for the life of the world. In Mark too the scandal has to do with Jesus’ words about his own coming death, and here Peter himself stumbles over Jesus’ words. But Jesus is anointed (the meaning of “messiah”) in Mark only on the way to the cross (14:3); so we are anointed in baptism with the sign of the cross.

Isaiah 50:4-9a The servant is vindicated by God Psalm 116:1-9 I will walk in the presence of the Lord. (Ps. 116:9) James 3:1-12 Dangers of the unbridled tongue Mark 8:27-38 Peter’s confession of faith