Public acceptance and affirmation

Mark 8
25Once more Jesus put his hands on the man’s eyes. Then his eyes were opened, his sight was restored, and he saw everything clearly. 26Jesus sent him home, saying, “Don’t even go into[a] the village.” 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 Messiah.” 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, the chief priests and the 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 concerns of God, but merely human concerns.”

Jesus, the one who gives the world a chance to be saved from hell, wants to be a secret! Why?

Was it because He didn't want others to be saved? No! He came to save us all! Was it because He was afraid! No, He eventually died an excruciating death on the cross for all of us. Was it because, He didn't need the affirmation and approval of others? Now there is an interesting thought!

Jesus is healing people in this passage. He is helping people understand He is the God of all the universe. He is also helping them understand that Satan is the ruler of the earth...for now, that there is more to our lives than this earth, that we are more valuable to God than the affirmation and approval of our peers.

So, the next time I do something, I have to check myself. Am I doing this for God's approval and affirmation, as Jesus did, or am I doing it for this world's approval and affirmation?

Father, please help me to keep my eyes, my focus, on you, and not on this world's approval and glory. It is so easy to worry about what other's will think about what I say and do, and I should be careful not to be a stumbling block, but please help me be even more careful and cognizant of your approval and affirmation of my words and deeds. In Jesus name I pray. Amen.