Matthew and Luke also record this particular saying of Jesus, so we must view it as something which was a very common thread in His ministry. Here Jesus calls the people to Himself and begins teaching them what it means to truly follow Him. Jesus says, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me” (8:34). In His statement here, Jesus is asking two things from those who want to walk in His ways: denial of self and submission to God’s will. When Jesus says that a person must “deny himself,” He is commanding that a person rid themselves of self-centeredness and all efforts that cause their life to revolve around their own passions. He is not stripping people of their personality and possessions, but rather a selfish heart which makes every decision based on personal gain. Jesus also commands that a person “take up his cross.” This phrase would evoke vivid images in the heart of Jews living under Roman rule. Carrying one’s cross “brought to mind the sight of a condemned man who was forced to demonstrate his submission to Rome by carrying part of his cross through the city to his place of execution. Thus…was to demonstrate publicly one’s submission/obedience to the authority against which he had previously rebelled” (The Bible Knowledge Commentary by John F. Walvoord and Roy B. Zuck, p. 141) In essence, Jesus was seeking the surrender of self to the authority of God. Instead of pursuing their own plans, they would now follow the commands of God and build their life around His ways.
Jesus continues His teaching saying, “For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and the gospel’s will save it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul?” (8:35-36) The person who pursues his own interests will ultimately lose his soul and all the world’s money will not be able to buy his soul from eternal destruction. However, the one who chooses to lose his life for the pursuit of Christ and the gospel will be saved (eternal reward). Which will you choose?
Dear God, I desire to pursue Your ways over my ways. Give me a passion to be filled with obedience and love for You.
