(Mark 8:34-35)…..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. 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.
At the beginning of His ministry, Jesus called people to become His disciples, such as Simon and Andrew (Mark 1:16-18), and also James and John (Mark 1:19-20). At the conclusion of His ministry, Jesus sent His apostles to make more disciples, ultimately to make disciples of all the nations (Matthew 28:18). Teaching them to observe all that He commanded (Matthew 28:20).
In this mornings text, we find Jesus discussing the issue of discipleship, having just predicted His own suffering, death, and resurrection (Mark 8:31), telling His disciples and others what is the cost of discipleship (Mark 8:34-35). What is a disciple? A disciple is a learner, a follower; to be a disciple of Jesus means that we follow Jesus. But as Jesus mentions in our text, such discipleship requires a cost. To be a true disciple of Jesus one must…..
One Must Deny Self
To deny sinful self, ungodliness, and worldly lusts; and part with them, and his/her former sinful companions. To deny righteous self, and renounce all his own works of righteousness, in the business of justification and salvation
How Is It Manifested?
Denying sinful self involves abstaining from fleshly lusts (1 Peter 2:11-12), no longer living like the rest of the world (1 Peter 4:1-4). Denying righteous self is exemplified by Paul who had much to boast about (Philippians 3:4-6), but he chose to put all his trust in Christ (Philippians 3:7-14). How are you doing as Christ’s disciple?