The Cross

The Cross

Mark 8:34-38, NLT

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, he said, “If any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your selfish ways, take up your cross, and follow me. 35If you try to hang on to your life, you will lose it. But if you give up your life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, you will save it. 36And what do you benefit if you gain the whole world but lose your own soul? 37Is anything worth more than your soul? 38If anyone is ashamed of me and my message in these adulterous and sinful days, the Son of Man will be ashamed of that person when he returns in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.”

Setting the Scene

When Jesus said, “take up your cross,” his listeners knew what he meant. Death on a cross was a brutal and public form of Roman capital punishment. A prisoner was required to carry the cross to the place of execution, signifying submission to Rome’s power. Jesus was saying that he wanted that kind of humility and submission, a complete break from life as they had known it. Jesus also was implying that identifying with him would lead to social and political oppression and ostracism, and there would be no turning back. Jesus was speaking prophetically as well, for in a few months, he would take up his own cross and walk to Calvary.

Jesus had just said that he would have to suffer and die (Matthew 16:21). Now he was explaining that his followers must be willing to do the same. To lose one’s life for Christ’s sake refers to a person refusing to renounce Christ, even if the punishment were death. To lose one’s life for the Good News implies that the person would be on trial for preaching and circulating the Christian message.

Getting Personal

Following Christ begins with turning from self and turning to him. What makes this so difficult?

The prospect of crucifixion must have deterred many from following Christ—that was too big a price to pay. What has being a Christian cost you?

Paul wrote, “For to me, living means living for Christ, and dying is even better” (Philippians 1:21, NLT). How might that work out in your life?

Those who would follow Christ must count the cost and be prepared to pay it. If we try to save our physical lives from death, pain, or discomfort, we may risk losing our true eternal lives. When we give our lives in service to Christ, however, we discover the real purpose of living. Paul wrote, “My old self has been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me. So I live in this earthly body by trusting in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me” (Galatians 2:20, NLT). Are you willing to pay the price of true discipleship?

Talking to God

Admit your justifiable anxieties about what being a follower of Christ might cost you. Ask the Lord to help you find joy in having Christ live in you, whether here on earth or in heaven with him.