The Radical Call of Discipleship: Following Jesus to the Cross
In Mark 8:34, Jesus delivers a striking teaching on the nature of discipleship, one that applies to all who wish to follow him. This instruction is not limited to the twelve apostles but is a universal call to deny oneself, take up one’s cross, and follow Jesus. To understand the depth of this teaching, we must examine each element and its implications for our lives.
Denying Oneself: A Radical Abandonment
The first element of discipleship is to deny oneself. This is not simply a matter of giving up certain desires or habits but a radical abandonment of one’s own identity and self-determination. Jesus calls us to join him on the march to the place of execution, to surrender our lives completely to him. This is not a partial surrender but a total yielding of our wills to his.
Taking Up One’s Cross: Embracing Suffering and Shame
The second element is to take up one’s cross. This phrase is often misunderstood as a metaphor for personal struggles or difficulties. However, in the context of Mark’s Gospel, it is a clear reference to the manner of Jesus’ death – crucifixion. To take up one’s cross is to willingly share in Jesus’ shame and suffering, to endure physical death if necessary. This is not a call to seek out suffering but to be willing to endure it for the sake of following Jesus.
Following Jesus: An Ongoing Process
The final element is to follow Jesus. This is not a one-time decision but an ongoing process. Following Jesus requires a daily commitment to surrender our lives to him, to deny ourselves, and to take up our cross. It is a journey that requires perseverance, courage, and faith.
The Paradox of Discipleship: Losing Life to Save It
Jesus expands on his threefold call by providing reasons and consequences in Mark 8:35-38. He presents a paradoxical statement that challenges our conventional thinking: to save our life, we must lose it. To cling to our life and avoid Jesus’ summons to death is to truly lose our life. The one who prioritizes Jesus above their own existence will secure eternal life, while the one who prioritizes their own existence above Jesus will lose both.
Mission and Discipleship: A Counterpoint
Discipleship as imitation of Jesus finds its counterpoint in mission. Jesus insists that his followers lose their life not just for his sake but also for the gospel’s sake (Mark 8:35). This highlights the importance of proclaiming the good news to all nations, a mission that requires sacrifice, courage, and perseverance.
Economic and Eschatological Consequences
Jesus’ teaching on discipleship has economic and eschatological consequences. To gain the whole world is worth nothing if it costs one’s soul (Mark 8:36). A person can give nothing to purchase their soul once they have lost it (Mark 8:37). Furthermore, Jesus warns that he will be ashamed of whoever has been ashamed of him and his words when he comes in glory (Mark 8:38).
A New Paradigm for Discipleship
The call to discipleship remains radical today. While physically following Jesus to the cross is no longer possible, the call to death is still present. However, this is expressed differently now that Jesus is no longer physically present. Mark 9:38-41 anticipates the post-resurrection experience of discipleship, where supporting God’s servants leads to reward.
In conclusion, the radical call of discipleship is a universal call to deny oneself, take up one’s cross, and follow Jesus. It requires a daily commitment to surrender our lives to him, to prioritize him above our own existence. The paradox of discipleship challenges our conventional thinking, presenting a choice between saving our life and losing it. As we respond to Jesus’ call, we must remember that mission and discipleship are intertwined, and that the consequences of our choices have eternal significance.
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