Jesus’ question to His disciples remains vital: Who do you say that I am? Peter’s confession that Jesus is the Christ was correct, yet incomplete, as his rebuke of the Lord’s path of suffering revealed. Like Peter, we often create a Messiah in our own image—one who aligns with our preferences, ambitions, and comforts. But Jesus dismantles our self-centered expectations, making it plain: to follow Him means to lose our lives for His sake, surrendering safety, security, and self-interest to gain something infinitely greater—life in Him. This is not a life of convenience or compromise; it is a call to daily sacrifice and trust. Yet, it is in this surrender that we find true freedom, joy, and eternal reward, as our lives burn brightly for the glory of Christ. Scripture: Mark 8:34-38