Then He called the crowd to Him along with His disciples and said: “Whoever wants to be My disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow Me. – Mark 8:34
Discipleship comes with a cost. | WATCH ON YOUTUBE
Peter has just confessed that Jesus was the Messiah. But then he also rebuked Jesus. Though his intent was love for Jesus, he was unwittingly used by Satan. This could happen to any of us too. We don’t have to be demon possessed for Satan to use us. And so, it is important that you and I are constantly on our guard against his evil ways. Jesus rebukes Peter.
And then Jesus laid down the terms and conditions for those who wanted to be His disciples. If we are to follow Him, we have to be willing to be different. Our standards and yardsticks may not always make sense to those around. We live in a world that says, ‘take all you can get’ while Jesus teaches us to ‘give all that we have.’
Throughout the Bible, our mind is seen as the key to our spiritual growth. If our thoughts are wrong, our actions can never be right.
To follow Jesus is to live and do as He wishes. If our lives are to change, then it has to begin with our minds. Our minds need to be renewed. The Bible never says ‘don’t’ without also saying what to do. And so, God remoulds our hearts from the inside (Romans 12:2), putting in His love and laws. He tells us to concentrate on that which is good, holy and of God (Philippians 4:8). Our new way of thinking will be characterized by humility and concern.
Are you willing to pay the cost?
Lord, help me follow you, whatever the cost, I pray.
Extended Reading – Matthew 16; Mark 8; Luke 9:18-27
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