“Oh, You Mean Me?” – MARK 8:34-38

Now Jesus has just gone too far.

First, He said He would be killed and now He says I have to take up MY cross to follow Him (8:34)? It seemed like Peter pretty much had the right idea rebuking Jesus and telling Him not to talk about such things. The others might have thought the same as Peter that Jesus is the Christ, but He just can’t die – He must live! Then Jesus spoke so harshly to Peter. This has gone far beyond miracles with fish and bread.

Jesus is talking about a fellowship of sacrifice.

Christianity is simply that … a fellowship – communion – of sacrifice. Notice that Jesus did not just whisper these words to the 12 disciples. Jesus called the multitude to Him (8:34a). The call of the cross is a call to all people. It is a matter of life and death (8:35).

But we live in a time and a culture that rejects personal sacrifice.

People are more worried about the price of a gallon of gasoline than about the price paid for their soul (8:36-37). “Others” sacrifice for the Lord, and “I” can just go to church. Jesus willingly paid the price … are you so willing?

The reality is that there is a price for our souls being paid every day.

Today you have the choice of which price you choose to pay. To pay the price of sacrifice and taking up your cross to follow Jesus will cost you dearly. Sins, friends, pleasures and treasures…is that too steep a price tag (8:36)? If the fellowship of sacrifice is too steep a cost for you, then you can simply choose to pay a different price for your soul. The price of living “my way” is your soul (8:37). To fellowship in pleasure and treasure all you have to do is be willing to pay the price.

It is not that Jesus is mean – it is just that He means it!

See, it does sound harsh. But what is He really saying to us? The ransom for souls was paid on the cross and guaranteed in the resurrection of Jesus. If we want to “save our lives”, we have to lose ourselves in Christ (8:35a). This concept seems so foreign to our “Sunday Jesus” society. Somehow people have convinced themselves or been convinced by others that grace erases not only sin but these words from the mouth of Jesus found in Scripture. Are grace and self-denial in opposition to each other? Somehow folks are certain they can “go their own way” instead of following Jesus.

The way of the cross is death to self, but the saving of the soul (8:35b).

Oh, He means ME!