Take Up Your Cross
Today’s Text:
Mark 8:34–38 (WEB) — 34 He called the multitude to himself with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; and whoever will lose his life for my sake and the sake of the Good News will save it. 36 For what does it profit a man to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37 For what will a man give in exchange for his life? 38 For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
1. What is happening in this passage?
Jesus emphasizes to His followers that nothing in this world is worth losing your soul over, and that true faithfulness to the gospel—Jesus’ death, burial, and resurrection—looks like our own TOTAL sacrifice, which allows us to truly follow after Jesus.
2. What is God revealing about humanity?
Jesus highlights humanity’s propensity to “gain the world,” but this is dangerous, because He also points out: we are souls that will be judged and exist long past the things to be gained in this world.
3. What is God revealing about Himself?
Jesus calls for us to follow in His footsteps—He was the perfect template for denying oneself and, in so being, is the One qualified for judgment, who will be ashamed of all those who chose to live selfishly, denying Him.
4. How should our lives change?
Forget the fame and wealth of the world—TRUE greatness comes from denying oneself and following in the footsteps of Jesus’ life of selflessness and personal sacrifice, not being ashamed of His name.
