Thank you for reading the message, and thank you to the Lord for the chance to bring it. I pray that all of you are doing well.
It was my plan to finish up chapter 8 in our continuing study of the Gospel of Mark, but I think I will actually have this message and maybe two more out of this chapter. It really doesn't matter at what pace we proceed through the Gospel. What is important is that we understand and apply to our lives the teachings and the example of Jesus found there in.
In our passage today, Jesus speaks to those who are following Him about taking up their cross and following Him. That is what I want to focus on today. What does it mean to take up one's cross and follow Jesus?
First of all, the cross means death. To take up one's cross means to die, and I believe as we begin our examination of this phrase we have to focus on the fact that following Jesus means dying to sin and rebellion against the way of God. In order to get on the path that leads to life, a person needs to be convinced that they are a sinner who is in need of a Savior. They have to repent of their sins and ask Jesus to be the Savior and the Lord of their life. That is the only way that a person dies to sin and becomes a new creation in Christ with the old passing away and all things becoming new.
Following the way of the cross, taking up one's cross, also means dying to self. People are selfish and self-centered as a general rule. They want to think about their own needs, wants and desires and they care very little, if at all, about others who are in this world. Taking up one's cross and following Jesus means that we have to give up and die to ourselves in order to become like Jesus who was the man for others.
Jesus came into this world to serve and not to be served. He came to give His very life as a ransom for sin. He didn't think about what was just for Him. In fact, in the Garden of Gethsemane, Jesus like any person, wanted to avoid a painful death. However, in the Garden, Jesus prayed not my will but Thine be done. He was willing to set aside Himself for the sake of others. That is part of what taking up the cross and following Him means.
Taking up the cross also means following Jesus' path. Jesus' path involved at least two aspects. First off, He came to give His life on the cross for the salvation of all those who believe. His life from birth was leading to a cross. We also have to think about this way, the way in which He lived led to the cross as well. Jesus went against the establishment. He antagonized the religious and political leaders to the point they wanted Him dead. He preached the radical love of God and it cost Him His life.
When we take up the cross and follow Jesus, we are committing to follow His path of love, goodness and caring in this world. We are following in His footsteps of doing unto others as we would have done to us. We are committing to loving God with all we have within us. And we are committing to love our neighbors as we love ourself.
Finally, taking up one's cross entails suffering. There is a cost to following Jesus. That cost will manifest itself in different ways for different people. Some people follow Jesus and they are physically assaulted or martyred. Others suffer financial repercussions or interpersonal difficulties. For some, following Jesus will mean being ostracized by family and friends.
Jesus asks us to count the cost, and then make the decision to follow Him. I hope that you will follow Him. I hope that in spite of whatever cross you must bear you will follow the Lord Jesus wherever it is that He may lead you. Amen.
Prayer Requests
Please keep praying in regard to my health. I must say I am not doing well at all. I actually to be honest have to tell you I don't know that it might be almost time for me to once again see my friend Toby. However, please pray that I will recover from what is ailing me if it be the Lord's will. Also, please pray that I can find a job that will be better. This place I work is really getting me down. Thank you all for all of your prayers.
Keep praying for peace in Ukraine. That is really on my heart this week.
Remember to pray that Ebola will come to an end in Africa. I heard there were more cases.
For our prayer focus countries this week, pray for those in Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone. Pray that many will come to know Jesus.
Next week, I will post the verses on Tuesday. We will continue in Mark 8 with the message. May God bless you all.
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