What Jesus Did! 'Take Up Your Cross' — Mark 8:34

Tuesday, May 28, 2024

Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, [Jesus] said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me."
— Mark 8:34 NLT

Key Thought

For Jesus' faithful followers, the cross is not a piece of jewelry or even a symbol; it is a lifestyle. It is the willingness to follow Jesus in every way - including the way of the cross. For us to do that, we must surrender our selfishness and lay down our lives for the needs of others. We must have unflinching loyalty to God no matter the cost. More than just a burden to bear, "our cross to bear" is a total "buy-in" to the life, character, and way of Jesus.

Today's Prayer

O Father, form me more perfectly into the nature, character, and lifestyle of Jesus. In his name, I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Philippians 2:5-11
  • John 15:9-13
  • 1 John 4:9-10

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10 Related Resources by Heartlight

One-way Missionaries
Article by Bruce Logue
They took a coffin, which they packed with their belongings, along with a one-way ticket. Bruce Logue reminds us that people still do pick up their cross and follow Jesus and the Lord uses them to make an eternal difference!
Working on Your Soul
Article by Rubel Shelly
What in the world does Ray Romano have to do with soulwork? Ray Romano said he is off to do soul work remembering a note he received from his brother about something that Jesus said about losing ones soul.
Do Our Churches Prefer Cushions over Crosses?
Article by Rubel Shelly
When sports fail to bring us together as one, then what will we do? Rubel Shelly reminds us of MLK, Martin Luther King, Jr., and how he taught us we were all equal in God's eyes and that Jesus was the answer to uniting us into one people under God.
Faith and Faithfulness
Article by Tim Archer
Can't have faith without being faithful Hiroo Onoda followed orders for more than 30 years, remaining at his post long after the war had ended. Christians need to learn to be faithful to God with that same intensity.
See All 10 Related Resources about Mark 8:34

Illustration

Illustration of Mark 8:34 NLT — Then, calling the crowd to join his disciples, [Jesus] said, "If any of you wants to be my follower, you must give up your own way, take up your cross, and follow me."

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware and is available in book form.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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