Take up your cross and follow Jesus Mark 8 spiritual journey

Take Up Your Cross Meaning for Believers Today - Mark 8

The Cost of Following Jesus: Denying Self and Taking Up The Cross

Understanding Self Denial in Mark 8:34

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, "Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

Denying the Desires of your Flesh

"So "I say, walk by the Spirit, and you will not gratify the desires of the flesh". (Galations 5:16) "For if you live according to the flesh, you will die; but if by the Spirit you put to death the misdeeds of the body, you will live". (Romans 8:13) The flesh and the Spirit are always at war against each other and will forever be. The Holy Spirit will empower you to live and worship by the Spirit, and not the flesh. "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses" (Acts 1:8).

Losing Your Life to Find It: The Paradox of Christian Discipleship in Mark 8:35

35 For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel's will save it.

"The Value of Your Soul vs. The Whole World"

Trading Your soul: What Profit Remains? - Mark 8:36-38

36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?

37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul?

38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."

What Does "Take Up Your Cross" Mean for Believers Today?

Putting Jesus First in Every Area of Your Life - Making Jesus First Place

What happens when you "Take Up Your Cross". When you decide to "Take Up Your Cross" and follow Jesus, Jesus becomes first place in your life. Your eyes are always on Jesus. You'll be asking daily; WWJD - "What would Jesus Do?". Everything around you becomes secondary, your family, your possessions, your fleshly wants and desires, they are all put away. (Luke 14:26-33, Matthew 19:21) Jesus isn't necessarily saying to literally abandon family, but that the love and allegiance to Him must be so supreme that it appears as though one prioritizes less than even closest family and possessions (Luke 14:26).

This call to deny yourself and follow Jesus echoes the greatest commandment in Deuteronomy 6:4-5 to love God with all your heart, soul, and strength—complete, undivided devotion. Taking up your cross means making Jesus first place in every area of your life, just as the Shema calls us to love the Lord our God with our entire being.

In essence, it's a call to a costly, uncompromising discipleship where Jesus becomes the ultimate treasure, surpassing all earthly wealth and relationships.

Becoming a New Creation in Christ - 2 Corinthians 5:17

They are put away with the "Old Man" because "In Christ", you become and ARE a NEW CREATION in Christ Jesus. (2 Corinthians 5:17) 

Seeking God First - Matthew 6:33

You will seek God first (Matthew 6:33) not because you "have to" but because you "want to" do what is pleasing unto God. 

Living as a Transformed Sacrifice - Romans 12:1-2

" Present your bodies as "living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God," not conforming to the world but being "transformed by the renewing of your mind" to discern His good, acceptable, and perfect will." Romans 12:1-2) 

The Cost of Following Jesus : Eternal Life vs. Earthly Possessions - Matthew 16:24-27

To preserve one's life eternally, one must surrender earthly possessions and relationships held so dearly (see Matthew 16:24-27) Everything belongs to God. "Behold, to the Lord your God belong heaven and the heaven of heavens, the earth with all that is in it." (Deuteronomy 10:14)

The Promise of Christ's Return in Glory

"When He comes in the glory of His Father" is the key of this address to the disciples (verses 34-38). It is the first glimpse of the fulfillment of all history (1 Corinthians 15:24-28). Those who will reign with Christ invest their lives in that which will last (verse 35). Those who are willing to confess Him today will be rewarded before the Father in heaven (Matthew 5:10-12; 2 Timothy 2:11-13; Revelation 2:26-28) 

How Jesus Meets People Where They Are

Jesus Meets Us Where We Are

The Savior always dealt with people on their own level.

Jesus' Personal Approach - Three Biblical Examples of Jesus Meeting People's Needs

He dealt with Nathaniel under a fig tree (John 1:48)

He dealt with Zaccheus up a sycamore tree Luke 19:4-5

He dealt with a dying thief on a cruel tree (Luke 23:39-43)

Jesus' Approach to Evangelism in John 4

Jesus' Attitude In Evangelism

This passage in John 4:26, contains one of the greatest examples for soul-winners in the entire Bible.

Five Principles from Jesus' Conversation with the Samaritan Woman

  • Jesus refused to argue with the woman.
  • He avoided getting entangled by various theological concepts.
  • He didn't bully her.
  • He repeatedly spoke of the living water , which was the real (and only) issue.
  • He concluded by pointing her to himself (John 4:26)

What We Learn from Jesus' Method of Soul-Winning

The Christian only has to lift up his eyes to see the bountiful harvest of lost souls all around him. Christians sometimes sow seed that will be reaped by others, but they often reap seed planted by another.

God alone gives the increase. (See 1 Corinthians 3:5-9)

 

 

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