“If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me… will save it.”
Mark 8:34
I’d rather talk about victory in Jesus than about taking up my cross. But we live in a broken, suffering, sin-sick world where, if we care for and love others, we will take up our cross eventually. Sometimes watching someone you love suffer feels worse than suffering yourself. The helplessness I felt when my husband was racked with pain was agonizing for me, too.
If ever there was a part of life that calls for self-denial, it’s in giving care to another person. As we care for a healthy child, an elderly friend, or a sick family member, we have no choice but to regularly place their needs above our own.
Why is this so important for a disciple? Discipleship is a process that begins with new birth in Christ. When spiritual new birth occurs, our old sinful nature dies. Self-denial reflects this reality. Jesus took up the cross for us, enduring His Father’s wrath and suffering in our place. Since He did it all for the joy set before Him (that’s us!), we continually surrender to Him and share the gospel in word and deed.
If ever there was a part of life that calls for self-denial, it’s in giving care to another person. As we care for a healthy child, an elderly friend, or a sick family member, we have no choice but to regularly place their needs above our own.
Why is this so important for a disciple? Discipleship is a process that begins with new birth in Christ. When spiritual new birth occurs, our old sinful nature dies. Self-denial reflects this reality. Jesus took up the cross for us, enduring His Father’s wrath and suffering in our place. Since He did it all for the joy set before Him (that’s us!), we continually surrender to Him and share the gospel in word and deed.
Scripture Focus
Mark 8:31-38
Insight
Deny yourself, take up your cross, and thank God that it brings discipleship and intimacy with Jesus.
Bible In A Year
- Lamentations 1-2
- Psalm 128
- 2 Corinthians 9-10
