The central portion of Mark’s gospel, 8:27-10:45, is a journey narrative. This journey begins with Peter’s surprisingly astute recognition and declaration of Jesus as “the Messiah” (8:29). The “journey” that takes us across the scandalous topography of Jesus’ messianic identity, his mission, and the nature of the discipleship required by those who would follow him.

Although Jesus had ordered his own disciples to keep his messianic identity a secret, Jesus now begins to tick off a list of the actions and attitudes that will define his mission. Jesus uses the verb “dei,” “it is necessary,” to emphasize the divinely mandated nature of the progression of events he articulates. The “suffering,” “rejection,” and death he describes are not failures. They are fulfillments of God’s design.

Jesus r…