And He summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what could a person give in exchange for his soul? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels” (Mark 8:34-38, NASB).
The disciples had a hard time accepting the message when Jesus began to warn them that He would be killed and rise from the dead. In fact, Peter began to rebuke Him. Jesus used strong words, saying to Peter, “Get behind Me, Satan” (Mark 8:33). One minute, Peter was the Rock, having declared the church’s faith that Jesus is the Son of God; the next, he was the devil’s spokesman.
Jesus then felt it was necessary to remind the disciples that He did not call them to a casual stroll on Easy Street, from Prosperity Boulevard to Comfort Avenue. Following Jesus means denying oneself, taking up the cross, and following Him.
What does it mean to you to take up the cross? Is there a cross that God has called you to take up, but you refuse to accept it? Is there a part of the world or this present life that you insist on holding onto, which might hinder you from experiencing the abundant life Jesus offers?
Copyright © 2023 Michael E. Lynch. All rights reserved.
Darkened Glass Reflections 
3 responses to “The Words of Christ—Mark 8:34-38”
Hi ,
(Mark 8 : 34) states :’Jesus said, “Whosoever will come after me, let him follow me.”
The verse is propounded nicely in this article.
This is one way of explanation. _:
The meaning of following Jesus is to take Him as a model, as an example or to imitate Him.
lt is written in, (Eph. 5:1-2) :’ Be imitators of God, as beloved children & walk in love, as Christ loved us & gave himself up for us.’
Jesus being the way, the truth, & the life. (John 14 : 6).
By looking unto Him the author & finisher of our faith ; we have to consider Him .( Heb.12 : 2, 3 )
‘ Have to Keep good conscience toward Him.’ (1Peter 3 : 21)
‘As He was well pleased by God’ .
( Matthew 3 : 17)
We have to follow Jesus through these ways _:
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1) Walking in the same way in which he walked.(1 John 2 : 6)
‘As He is the the image of the invisible God”(Colo. 1:15)
Doing the will of God The Father. (Matthew 7 : 21)
As He Himself said, “For I have come down from heaven, not to do my own will but the will of Him who sent me”.(John 6 : 38)
These verses highlight the will of God _:
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A,) (2 Thessalonians 5 :18):’Give thanks in all circumstances; for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.’
B ) (1 Thessalonians 4:3):’ It is God’s will that you should be sanctified: that you should avoid sexual immorality.’
C) (1 Peter 2 :15):’ For it is God’s will that by doing good you should silence the ignorant talk of foolish people.’
D) ( 2 Peter 3: 9) :’Willing that Everyone should come to repentance.’
E) (1 Timothy 2 : 2-4) :’ This is good, & it is pleasing in the sight of God to come to the knowledge of the truth.’
F) (Micah 6 :8):’ He has shown you, O mortal, what is good.& what does the LORD require of you? To act justly, to love mercy & to walk humbly with
your God.’
G) (1 Thess. 5:16-18 ) :’Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.’
Jesus used to pray in a solotary place. ( Mark 1: 35 )
H) (Micah 6 : 8 ):’He has told you, O man, what is good; & what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness,
& to walk humbly with your God. ‘
2)’ Not walking disorderly.’
(2 Thessaloni 3 : 6)
But ‘walking by the Spirit. ‘
(Galatians 5:16 )
3)’ Stablishing our hearts unblameable in holiness before God. ‘(1 Thessalonians. 3 : 13 )
As He has reconciled us in the body of His flesh through death, to present us holy, unblameable & unreproveable in God’s sight.:( Colossians 1 : 21, 22 )
‘4) Putting on kindness, humility, meekness, & patience.
(Colossians . 3:12 )
As, Jesus washed His disciples feet, demonstrating profound humility & a willing spirit of service. (John 13:1-5)
(Matthew 9 : 36) describes:
Jesus was compassionate.
5)‘ Being holy in all manner
of conversation.’ (1Peter 1:15)
6) Doing good works.
( Matthew 5 : 16) As,
‘ Jesus went about doing
good acts. ‘( Matthew 10 :38)
‘ Working in that which is well pleasing in God’s sight.’ ( Hebrews 13 : 21)
And, after doing well,suffering for it.’ (1 Peter 2 : 20 )
7) ‘ Forgiving others ‘. ( Luke 23 : 34 )
As Jesus prayed, “Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do.” (Luke 23:34)
8) Loving one another. ( Mark 10 : 21), as Jesus said, “just as I have loved you”. ( John 13 : 34)
9)‘ Overcoming the wicked one.’
(1John 2 : 13 ) & the world through faith in Jesus Christ. ‘
(1John 5: 4-5).
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Wow! What a great revelation. God bless you.
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I love your post. I think you are raising an excellent question. Luke’s Jesus will saying to take up your cross DAILY, which has a major impact on Mark’s version. For Mark, taking up a cross is entirely a one-way street, one you don’t get to do another day. But Luke enhances that by making it a “daily” thing.
I will quibble with you on one point.
Peter does not say Jesus is the Son of God here.
Look closely. He says, “You are the Christ/Messiah,” but he does not use that other title/phrase Son of God. Not in Mark’s account.
He does in Matthew! Matthew enhances this exchange putting those words on Peter’s lips, but Mark does not.
And so… if you read Mark cover-to-cover and look carefully, that title Son of God is given in chapter 1, verse 1 (however there are textual variants with that), which is the author’s declaration. After that the Voice from heaven, both at his baptism in ch 1 and his transfiguration in ch 9 announce Jesus is the Son of God. But the only other time we hear this is from the demons! The demons announce it again and again all through Mark, especially in the early chapters, and ironically, Jesus is shutting them up. He doesn’t want the demons giving away this precious insider’s information.
But there is one exception to this. There is one mortal in the story who announces Jesus is the Son of God. But it’s not Peter, not James or John… not anyone who was appointed by him or who walked with him or any of that.
In fact, the ONLY mortal character in Mark’s account to utter the title Son of God with reference to Jesus is the rather flat character, an outsider who has no special advantage by which to know this insight EXCEPT he happens to be standing there watching as Jesus dies.
The centurion at the foot of the cross.
He is the ONLY mortal, human being to utter these words, and he does so at the foot of the cross! A most unlikely character at a most unlikely moment. And yet, Mark’s Gospel leads us very carefully there all along.
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