One of Jesus’ most frequently quoted sayings about discipleship is from 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.”

Let’s pause on that for a moment. Discipleship definitely includes joy and belonging and purpose. But it also includes sacrifice.

Taking up a cross is about denying self and putting God’s kingdom first. In case it’s not obvious, that means you’re going to face some conversations, situations and decisions which are not always smooth and easy.

Mark Batterson writes: “It’s time to quit living as if the purpose of life is to arrive safely at death.”* That’s so very true! 

In saying this, I’m not suggesting that you walk foolishly into dangerous situations just to prove you’re not addicted to safety. But the reality is that discipleship sometimes includes risk-taking. It includes doing difficult work and making tough (and sometimes unpopular) choices. It includes spiritual battle.

Let’s not only be unafraid of death, but unafraid of life. 

Are there sacrifices? Yes.
Are there difficulties? Yes.
Is there risk? Yes.

But the point of life is about glorifying and serving God not maximizing couch time.

“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.”

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Notes and extra content:

—PAUSE ALERT. After August 1, 2024, this devotional will go on pause as I take some vacation time. It will return on August 28th. You can catch up with previous devotionals at TheUpDevo.com or subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen (Apple Podcasts, Spotify, etc.)

–“Giving up good things for great things.” Sermon. July 28, 2024. Click here.

–*Mark Batterson, Going All In (Zondervan: 2013), 11.

–Bible quotes are from the NIV.