Mark 8:27-38

“Deny Himself”—Destroy the idol of self-centeredness

Jesus is not asking us to lose our personalities, die as a martyr, or live a life of self-rejection and self-hatred. We are not to live a life of asceticism. He is asking us to turn from the idol of self-centeredness.

 

“Take up his cross and follow me”—Daily Surrender

Jesus’ audience had seen a person take up their cross too many times. The condemned criminal would carry his own crossbar to the place of crucifixion—a painful, shameful death. Carrying one’s cross demonstrated submission to Roman authority that he had rebelled against and a symbol of agreement regarding the charge and verdict. Jesus used “carrying the cross” to mean that each day we are to surrender to God.

 

Save your life, you lose it. Lose your life, you save it.

The word for life is not bios by phyuche. Phyuche describes the soul—the part that wills, thinks, feels, and has the power to reason and emote. The word describes our personality with all our hopes and aspirations. God has made us find complete rest and contentment and satisfaction only in him. We are heirs of eternal life forever with God.

 

Gain the whole world and forfeit your soul.

The world here is the world system of evil that Satan heads up. The world—with its pursuits, pleasure, purposes, and people—is the place where God is not wanted.

 

Application

 

·     Engage in God’s Word every day.

·     Get grounded in the faith.

·     Find a place to serve.

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