Get Serious

PRAY: Lord, I'd love to follow you more closely. Please show me just one or two ways I can begin to do that today.

READ: Mark 8:31-9:1

REFLECT: "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me" (Mark 8:34).

This passage contains one of the most misunderstood statements Jesus ever made. How often have you heard someone moan and say in reference to some minor irritation, "Well, we all have our crosses to bear, don't we?" But for Jesus, taking up his cross was not just a coping mechanism. It was a symbol of all-out obedience to his Father's will.

But let's back up for a minute. Peter has just stumbled into one of his greatest "aha moments"; he's finally stated who Jesus really is (Mark 8:29). You'd think Peter would get a gold star for such an answer. Instead, Jesus gives a serious lecture; he teaches the disciples (v. 31) and then rebukes Peter (v. 32). Why? Because although they could now say the right things about Jesus, they still didn't understand who he was; they viewed him from a human rather than divine perspective (v. 33).

That presents a challenge for us today. Those of us who are surrounded by Christian teaching–in churches, sermons, books, and radio-_-can quickly learn to say the right things about Jesus without understanding what it means. True understanding comes when we put into practice the things Jesus said and did. That's part of what Jesus meant by saying, "follow me."

But here, he links that familiar idea to an even bigger challenge–denying self and taking up a cross. For Jesus, that would mean giving up his rights as the Son of God (Philippians 2:5-8) and dying on the cross for the world's sins (John 19:17-18). For us, it will mean that the focus of our lives will no longer be the pursuit of happiness. Rather it will be drawing closer to Jesus and becoming more single-minded about sharing him with others by our words and actions (Mark 8:35). We must die to our own agenda and live for Jesus' agenda. In the end, that's the only thing worth living for (vv. 35-36), and the consequences of missing that point are serious indeed.

APPLY: How would you describe the focus of your life? In what ways have you taken up your cross to follow Jesus?

PRAY: Heavenly Father, I find it so easy to focus on the things of this world and so difficult to focus on the things that matter most to you. Please help me to live with your priorities today.

Discussion Questions for "The Hard Sayings of Jesus"

1. Of all the things Jesus said (both in this section and elsewhere in the Gospels), which are the most difficult for you to understand? To obey? Why?
2. Was there ever a time in your life when you were moving 180 degrees from God? What was it like? How did you turn around?
3. Have you ever experienced a specific answer to your prayers? What happened, and how did it affect your relationship with God?
4. Have you ever failed to receive an answer to a specific prayer? What happened, and how has it affected your view of God and prayer?
5. Is it ever acceptable to hate someone? If so, when?
6. How do you usually resolve conflicts with people who have offended you?
7. Which is a bigger priority for you–pursuing happiness or following Jesus? What evidence can you offer?

The Essential Jesus (Part 16): The Crucifixion of Jesus

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