Scripture: Mark 8:34 - 38 And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it. For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul? Whosoever therefore shall be ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, when he cometh in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.
Observation: This is a hard teaching. As followers of Christ, we are called to lay aside all of our wants and desires and to substitute for them the wants and desires of Christ. And if we chose not to do so, we are denying Jesus who will then deny us and our eternal destiny is put in jeopardy.
Application: This sacrificial call to Christ is not something that is often preached from the mainstream pulpit. It is not a popular gospel. But it is the teaching of Christ, and the truth of God. Have you devoted your life to follow Christ? That is the question to ask ourselves. What does following Christ look like? It is surely more than just acknowledging him and then going our own way. On the other extreme would be selling all that you have and giving it to the poor and going town to town preaching the gospel trusting God for your subsistence. Or can God use you where you are at, if you are fully devoted to him? These are questions that each of us must work out directly with the King of Kings. There is no more question which is more important. We must diligently seek his will for our life, then follow it with all of our heart, soul mind and strength.
Prayer: Dear Jesus, show us your will for our lives today. Help us to spend each day in full devotion to you. We love you, and desire nothing else than to serve you.
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