Snapshot of Jesus in Mark #7

A SNAPSHOT TAKEN BY JESUS

Mark 8:36-37

The job of a photographer is to capture a moment of time on film. In a sense that is what every photograph does, no matter what the subject. However, there are instances where the photograph captures more than just time. It captures not only time, but the character and essence of the subject. It captures not only the subject but the viewer, and lifts him to new heights of perception, feeling, and understanding. These types of photographs are exceptional.

One such snapshot is found in Mark 8. It is a group snapshot, not of Jesus, but by Jesus. In it we see that he gathers a crowd—unbelievers and disciples alike. It is a snapshot of a larger snapshot by Mark of Jesus being confessed as the Christ by Peter. While Mark takes his snapshot of Jesus; at the conclusion Jesus takes his snapshot of the group. It is as if Mark is taking a picture of Jesus taking a picture of the crowd. In this snapshot by Jesus, he captures the character and essence of the crowd, and lifts them to new heights of perception, feeling, and understanding.

The snapshot is found in the words of verses 36 and 37: “For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what will a man give in exchange for his soul?” These are exceptional words that bring us face to face with ourselves. It forces us to look internal and see ourselves the way we are. I believe it was Moody who once said that an untouched portrait of ourselves will show warts and all. The camera does not lie. This portrait forces us to look at our warts and all, to examine our own hearts and minds, to examine our values and priorities, and to come face to face with our own delusions.

·        We delude ourselves by sacrificing honor for profit.

·        We delude ourselves by sacrificing principle for popularity.

·        We delude ourselves by sacrificing the eternal for the temporary.

·        We delude ourselves by sacrificing love for lust.

·        We delude ourselves by sacrificing repentance for reformation.

Jesus’ snapshot of us confronts us with us. Are we sacrificing the moment for the eternal? Jesus is showing us the important, sensible, and most satisfying decision which we can make—to follow Him (cf. 8:34).