“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”
Mark 8:34
What does it mean to gain the world and lose your soul? Keith Cating unpacks three key implications of Jesus’ call to true discipleship:
- Denying ourselves means not prioritizing our desires above all else. We must look at the world from Christ’s perspective, not just our own.
- Following Jesus often requires moving out of our comfort zones. Are we willing to follow Him even when it’s uncomfortable?
- Jesus calls us to actively participate in His mission of making disciples, not just passively observe.
Questions for Further Study
- What areas of your life are hardest to surrender to Christ? What might it look like to deny yourself in those areas?
- When has following Jesus required you to step out of your comfort zone? What was the result?
- How can you shift your priorities and perspective to live out the call of Mark 8:34?
- Who are you currently investing in spiritually, helping continue the discipleship chain? What next steps can you take?
Quote
In Mark 8:34, Jesus calls all who want to be His disciples to a life of self-denial, cross-bearing, and obedient following after Him. What does this look like for us today?
