Death and Discipleship

 Numbers 28-29; Mark 8 

“…’If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

Mark 8:34, 35

This statement of discipleship was spoken as a rebuke to Peter and other disciples who did not yet understand that following Jesus was not just adding new adventures and content to one’s life. Following Jesus meant the denial of self, the denial of the self-life, and living for oneself even within spiritual or religious behaviors. The starting point of discipleship in the way of Jesus is death - daily dying to ourselves, receiving the gift of Christ’s death for us, and living in full dependence on the resurrection power of the Holy Spirit. Any other description of discipleship is not in the way of Jesus. Jesus calls his disciples at the level of heart surrender. If we are to live and share Christ’s gospel, we must be willing to daily die for this good news.

“Lord Jesus, I surrender all. Fill me with your Spirit and live your life through me, for your glory.”