He called the crowd with his disciples, and said to them, ‘If any want to become my followers, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.’” vs. 34
Mark 8:34-38
Jesus certainly didn’t try to lure people into becoming his disciples by offering them promises of financial gain or material success. Instead he tells them that the way to new life was through self-denial. In order to save their lives, they would have to lose them. What’s truly amazing is that many people took him at his word–they did deny themselves and follow in his way. Some even ended up on crosses. Through the centuries countless others have also followed that same path of self-denial. During the 20th century we became familiar with the life and ministry of Mother Theresa. When she left the comfort and security of her convent to go live with the poor in the slums of Calcutta she deliberately took with her only 5 rupees, less than a dollar, and the clothes on her back. She trusted that Jesus, who had called her into this work, would provide all that she needed. Others, not so famous, have done the same. In our time and culture there has been a growing reluctance to engage in any kind of self-denial, and self-indulgence is trending. And the words of Jesus ring in our ears, “What does it profit a person to gain the whole world and forfeit their life?”
Thought for the Day: Why is self-denial so hard?
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