This is what Jesus says in Mark 8:34-35: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

Following Jesus means denying yourself, taking up your cross, and following him. The phrase “taking up your cross” is sometimes understood to mean a self-denying sacrifice.

In a world of comfort and convenience, I wonder if we sometimes downplay the concept of sacrifice. ‘He can’t be serious, can he?’ I’m guilty of it too.

I recently heard about a church in South Asia who had a questionnaire for people considering baptism. Here are five of them:

-Are you willing to leave home and lose the blessing of your father?
-Are you willing to lose your job?
-Are you willing to go to the village and those who persecute you, forgive them, and share the love of Christ with them?
-Are you willing to be beaten rather than deny your faith?
-Are you willing to die for Jesus?*

Wow, that got serious fast! 

How would you answer those questions? Perhaps you’d say Yes in a heartbeat. Perhaps you’re not so sure; after all, we’re all on a journey, and we have powerful loyalties and attachments—some of which are very good.

I didn’t share those questions to get into a big debate about them. I simply shared them to help us reflect on the fact that identifying with Jesus means serious change. It’s where we die to our pre-Jesus self and live humbly, boldly, truthfully and graciously with our in-Jesus self.

I’m sure many of you are living sacrificially for Jesus. I’m also sure that there are difficulties and tears. 

But I’m also sure that there is the powerful presence of God, a life of purpose, the hope of the kingdom come perfuming your days, and everlasting redemption!

The hard thing about sacrifice is that it can hurt. The good thing about sacrifice is that it displaces you at the centre of your life, and opens a door to something much greater—not only for you, but for others.

“For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it.”

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Notes and extra content:

—Pause Alert: I’m on a Study Leave the week of May 20th. The Up Daily Devotional will go on pause but return on May 27, 2024.

–*As posted by @DarrenMCarlson on Instagram.

–“Mesus, McJesus and the Rise of Fear.” Sermon. May 12, 2024. Click here.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.