Mark 8:34-37 He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? Indeed, what can they give in return for their life?
Context: When we come to the closing verses of the lectionary passage this week, it is important to remember what we have learned in the verses read previously. First, we remember that the disciples have come to believe that Jesus is the Messiah but this Messiah is not what they expected him to be. Instead of the power and riches and glory of this world ... their future held pain, suffering and humiliation. What a difficult shift to make in head and heart! Yet we must make this shift to internalize the knowledge that our ways are not the ways of God.
Going Deeper: We find out how important this knowledge is when Jesus confronts Peter about his self-centered attitude. After Jesus addresses the (inner) attitude, he turns to (outer) behavior. Jesus gives us a clear directive to follow up as he speaks not just to the disciples and the crowd, but also to us ... in a 2-fold message: If we want to follow Jesus we must 1) deny ourselves and 2) take up our cross.
What does it mean to deny yourself? What does it mean to take up your cross? First of all, we are not talking about denial simply to deny ourselves or others. We are also not talking about abuse or oppression or violence. Jesus calls us to move beyond trying to save our selves not out of fear or self-exaltation but to denial of self in order to take up the cause of the gospel as we reach out to others with the goods news of grace to all people. To help us grow closer to what we are called to be, our denial should have a purpose. And it can.
I think self-denial helps us to grow beyond our self-centered desires. However, our culture tells us we need not deny ourselves anything. I think it is possible that in striving for the many things I think I need in my life, I can unknowingly contribute to the neglect and abuse of others. One day I realized that many of the cheap clothes I wear are probably made by child laborers in foreign countries. And I really don't know what to do about it. I am sorry to say it hasn't made me shop any differently but it should ... for then I would be taking up my cross.
Pondering: This shocking passage addresses what it means to confess Jesus Christ as Messiah and consequently spend the rest of your life following. Do you want to follow Jesus? What changes are you willing to make? When you think of self-denial what do you think about in your life? Is there anything that causes you to pause and think about the way you live your daily life? How are you "losing" your life for the sake of the gospel?
Praying: Plan a time of fasting ... you might fast from a meal or a certain food or watching TV or whatever represents real self-denial. If you think deeply, you will know what this is for you. You may want to weave in service to others to address the 2-fold message of Jesus for the day. Offer your plans to God as your prayer. Then pray through your time of fasting, praising God for being your strength and your provider. Pray with Oswald Chambers and me ... O God, Help me not only to proclaim the gospel. Help me to become broken bread and poured out wine in the hands of Jesus Christ for others lives.
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