Learning is a process of modifying or completely changing our mental models based on new experiences or evidence. - Author: Edward D. Hess
The Caesarea Philippi Conversation (Mark 8:27-34) is a conversation about changing the mental model of the followers by the leader. Jesus asked his disciple who the crowd said he is.
They said to him that one section of the crowd thought of him as John the Baptist, but another section said, "Elias", and yet another section said, "One of the prophets".
Jesus asked the second question as to who they, the disciples themselves, think he is, during this conversation on the Caesarea Philippi road. To which Peter answered, "You're the Christ".
Explaining what person he is, Jesus said to the disciples that he must suffer, be rejected by the people and the leaders, and be killed and rise again in three days.
Peter pulled Jesus aside and rebuked him as he carried the picture of an earthly ruler about him.
Jesus, turning around, rebuked Peter, saying, "Get behind me, Satan!". Continuing, Jesus accused Peter of not setting his mind on the things of the spirit but on the things of the flesh. The disciple and the leader rebuked each other: one mental model is of the flesh and the other is of the spirit. The disciple would go on to deny the leader, denying him thrice before his eventual, tearful repentance.
A good leader changes the way we see our life's journey as Jesus did in the Caesarea Philippi Conversation, opening the window to seeing the twinkling stars above as opposed to the muddy road below.
