Read for This Week’s Study: Mark 8:22–38; Matt. 20:29–34;John 12:25; Mark 9:1–50; Mal. 4:5, 6; Luke 9:30, 31.Memory Text: “When He had called the people to Himself, withHis disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come afterMe, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me”(Mark 8:34, NKJV).The first half of Mark focuses on who Jesus is. His powerfulteaching and miracles point in the same direction: He is theMessiah. At this crucial turning point in the narrative, Jesus willask the disciples who they believe Him to be.Peter will give a clarion answer to that question, and Jesus willimmediately begin to explain where His steps as Messiah are headed,which we know is the cross.In the last part of Mark 8 through the end of Mark 10, Jesus focuseson teaching His disciples about His journey. In these chapters, He willgive predictions about the Cross. These will be followed by specialinstruction on discipleship. These powerful lessons remain relevanttoday.This section of the second Gospel is marked off by the healing of twodifferent blind men, one at the middle of Mark 8 and the other at theend of Mark 10. These miracle “bookends” illustrate dramatically howdiscipleship includes spiritual insight regarding who Jesus is and whereHe is going. As His teachings challenged the twelve disciples about twothousand years ago, so they continue to confront disciples today withthe deep cost, and benefit, of following Jesus.* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, August 17.