After Peter had just rebuked Jesus for saying that He was going to die, Jesus took the chance to teach His disciples about the cost of following Him. I’m not sure that I firmly grasp all that Jesus is trying to communicate through these verses, but I’ll give it my best shot. In verse 23 Jesus countered Peter’s words by exposing that Peter’s plan was contrary to what God wanted. I don’t believe Jesus was angry at Peter but rather wanted him to understand his plans were not in line with the will of God. To make this point clear, Jesus had to be firm with Peter. Springboarding from this situation, Jesus teaches His disciples what it meant to follow after Him. First, the disciples must “deny” themselves. Denying self is probably much more complicated than I will define it here, but I believe it is the abandoning of your plans in order to follow God’s ways. I don’t think denying self is a one time thing, but a daily humbling of ourselves before God and submission to His authority in our life. Secondly, Jesus says that in order to follow Him a person must “take up his cross.” The disciples were very familiar with the cross and it evoked pictures of suffering and hardship. When a criminal was sentenced to punishment by way of the cross he had to carry his cross to the place where he would be crucified. This was a public statement that he was now under the authority of the Roman empire whom he had once rebelled against. Jesus was trying to inform them that His followers would make a full commitment to Him regardless of any suffering which they would face as a result of following Him. Jesus then says something very profound in verses 25-26 – “whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” He goes on to ask “what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?” These were words of comfort. It is a statement of contrast in light of what He had just said about denial and suffering. He was telling His disciples that following Him is worth it even though the path may be tough. Not only are these words of comfort, but also words of promise. A person who chooses to follow Christ, although he has given up his own plans, will ultimately experience life to the fullest. Verse 27 also promises reward to those who faithfully serve God during their lifetime. To summarize what Jesus was saying (although it is not my place), I believe He wanted them to know following Him was worth it.
Dear God, help me to deny myself and pursue Your plans knowing that You will help me experience life to the fullest.
