“We all have our cross to bear.” This is an idiomatic expression that refers to an unpleasant or painful situation that one must accept and deal with. However, in the first century, the people in Palestine would have understood this illustration in a completely different way. Even a twelve-year-old child, upon observing a man being forced to carry his cross, driven by Roman soldiers, would have known that the man was going to face his death, and no one would ever see that man again. 

“They sold their soul to the devil!” Another expression that we do not give much thought to. People often joke about doing such things. Would you be willing to “sell your soul to the devil” to receive fame and fortune? Would you compromise your godly morals and spiritual wellness, just to increase your worldly pleasures? Jesus was not casual with His words, but rather, He was very specific when inferring that one man’s soul is worth more than the whole world! 

“I hate it, but that’s what Jesus said.” Do we ever say anything like that to soothe one’s emotional response to the word of God? For instance, if someone is in an adulterous marriage, do we read Matthew 19:1-12 only to add, “I hate it, but that’s what Jesus says”? If so, we are distancing ourselves from the words of Jesus, which means we are also distancing ourselves from Him. May that never be the case! Instead, let us be sorrowful that someone has found themselves to be in sin and prayerfully help them to see God’s remedy for the situation.

34 When He had called the people to Himself, with His disciples also, He said to them, “Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.

35 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. 

36 For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? 

37 Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? 

38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”

~ Mark 8:34-38

Dear God and Father, I pray to You to help me put an end to old habits that sometimes cause me to stumble. I know it’s what You want from me. Please guide me to renew my mind every day and bring me closer to You (Romans 12:2; 1 Corinthians 15:31). I desire this more than anything. I don’t want to trade my integrity for worldly pleasures, either. Instead, I want to live a life of sacrifice that pleases You. Help me to embrace Your ways as You have revealed them in Your word. May I always hold tightly to You and your Son, Jesus; and may I never be ashamed of my faith. In Jesus’ name, I pray, amen.