Mark 8:34 (VW) And 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.
The Lord Jesus had been teaching (prophesying) the people of His coming suffering, death, and resurrection. Peter was not pleased and with false hope rebukes Jesus in hopes of encouraging Him. Jesus rebukes Peter with the stern words, “Get behind me satan.” He did this because Peter was unknowingly acting as an agent of satan. Jesus then gives the commandment of verse 34.
Jesus tells the people 3 things: deny yourself, take up my cross, and follow me.
Deny yourself: Instead of following our will and desires, we follow God’s will and desire, even as the Lord Jesus did when He prayed, “Not my will but Yours be done (Luke 22:42).” God’s will for us is to live a life believing God, so we must read, study, and live the Scriptures. The law we follow is not the Mosaic Law but the Law of Christ (Galatians 6:2). We see the fruit of this life by the Fruit of the Spirit: Galatians 5:22-23 (VW) But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faith, 23 meekness, self-control. Against such there is no law. We do not take up the sword or use violence.
Take up your cross: This is the afflictions and conflicts between God’s way and satan’s way of life that we experience in life. It is the difference between the fruit of the flesh (Galatians 5:19-21 (VW) Now the works of the flesh are evident, which are: adultery, sexual perversion, uncleanness, licentiousness, 20 idolatry, sorcery, hatred, contentions, jealousies, outbursts of wrath, selfish ambitions, dissensions, heresies, 21 envy, murders, drunkenness, revelries, and the like; of which I tell you beforehand, just as I also told you in time past, that those who practice such things will not inherit the kingdom of God) and the Fruit of the Spirit. The warning of afflictions were given by the Lord Jesus: John 16:33 (VW) These things I have spoken to you, that in Me you may have peace. In the world you have affliction; but be of good courage, I have overcome the world.
Follow me: We can live our life in our own worldview, lifestyle, and rules or the worldview, lifestyle, and rules of our Lord Jesus.
- God’s worldview: 1 John 2:15-17 (VW) Do not love the world or the things in the world. If anyone loves the world, the love of the Father is not in him. 16 For all that is in the world; the lust of the flesh, the lust of the eyes, and the pride of life; is not of the Father but is of the world. 17 And the world is passing away, and its lust; but he who does the will of God abides forever.
- God’s lifestyle for us: 1 John 3:18 (VW) My little children, let us not love in word or in tongue, but in deed and in truth.
- God’s rules: 1 Thessalonians 5:14-22 (MSB) And we urge you, brothers, to admonish the unruly, encourage the fainthearted, help the weak, and be patient with everyone. 15 Make sure that no one repays evil for evil. Always pursue what is good for one another and for all people. 16 Rejoice at all times. 17 Pray without ceasing. 18 Give thanks in every circumstance, for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus. 19 Do not extinguish the Spirit. 20 Do not treat prophecies with contempt, 21 but test all things. Hold fast to what is good. 22 Abstain from every form of evil.
Be encouraged today.