Mark 8:34-37

Concerning true discipleship: V. 34. And when He had called the people unto Him with His disciples also, He said unto them, Whosoever will come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. V. 35. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever will lose his life for My sake and the Gospel's, the same shall save it. V. 36. For what shall it profit a man if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? V. 37. Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Jesus had given the disciples a summary of His work in the interest of fallen humanity, the essential and characteristic Messianic ministry.

He now gives a summary of the demands of true discipleship, addressed not only to the twelve apostles, but to a multitude of people whom the Lord expressly calls for that purpose. He does not speak of the manner in which a person becomes a disciple, but the way in which he gives evidence of the faith living in him.

There are three points that Christ emphasizes:

• 1) Denying self;

• 2) taking up the cross;

• 3) following Christ.

A person who becomes a disciple of Christ really loses his identity, his individuality, so far as spiritual things are concerned. He no longer knows himself or insists upon his opinion and work. He sets aside all his own natural lusts and desires. But he must expect and therefore freely take upon himself the cross and suffering which is sure to strike him on account of his confession of Christ, though it lead into death itself. Thus the entire life of the Christian will finally resolve itself into that one purpose, to follow Christ wherever He may lead, and not doubt for the fraction of a second that His way is always best.

The Lord explains this at some length. If anyone wants to save his life, have the full enjoyment of this life and all that it may offer in this world, he will lose the true life in Christ the Savior. But if anyone will regard this life, the world and all it has to offer, as nothing, give it all up for the. sake of Jesus and His Gospel, he will find the true life, the true joy and happiness in Him.

If we should put the whole world with all its immeasurable riches on the credit side of the ledger and a single man's soul on the debit side, the credit side would be practically effaced. There is nothing in the wide world which can measure up to the value of a single soul, especially not if one considers the fact that the Son of God shed His blood for that soul.

Note: This statement will be readily assented to in theory by almost every person in the world, but in practice the great majority discard the idea as foolish; to enjoy this life first, and, if there still be time, to prepare for the next, that is the religion of many, even of those that bear the Christian name.