(Mrk) 8:34-38 CJB “Then Yeshua called the crowd and his talmidim to him and told them, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him say ‘No’ to himself, take up his execution-stake, and keep following me. For whoever wants to save his own life will destroy it, but whoever destroys his life for my sake and for the sake of the Good News will save it. Indeed, what will it benefit a person if he gains the whole world but forfeits his life? What could a person give in exchange for his life? For if someone is ashamed of me and of what I say in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man also will be ashamed of him when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

Every man who claims the name of Christ should commit these words of Jesus to memory.

Not for inspiration.
Not for debate.
For direction.

Jesus does not invite us to admire Him.
He calls us to die with Him.

“If anyone wants to come after me,” He says, “let him say ‘No’ to himself.”

The Christian life does not begin with self-discovery.
It begins with self-denial.

It begins with surrender.

We have weakened the next generation of believers by refusing to teach them this. Too often, we avoid saying no. We indulge preferences. We protect comfort. We prioritize happiness over holiness.

But Jesus starts discipleship with one word:

No.

No to self-rule.
No to self-centered living.
No to self-defined purpose.

Then He adds: “Take up your execution-stake.”

In the Roman world, this was not symbolic language. A cross meant one thing—death. It meant the end of personal control, personal plans, and personal ambition.

To carry your cross is to carry the instrument that puts your will to death.

It is choosing to die to what you want so that you may live for what God commands.

That is discipleship.

Absolute commitment.
Complete obedience.
Unconditional surrender.

Jesus says we must “destroy” our lives for His sake and for the sake of the gospel. He is not calling us to harm ourselves physically. He is calling us to abandon the world’s definition of success.

Our culture tells men:
Protect your comfort.
Build your brand.
Secure your future.
Chase recognition.
Serve yourself.

Jesus says:
Give it all to Me.

We lose our lives by giving them to Christ and His mission. We may lose status. We may lose opportunities. We may lose approval. We may lose relationships. We may even lose safety.

But we gain something greater.

Life.

Real life.
Eternal life.
Life with God.

A man may become successful in his vocation. He may earn well. He may lead well. But his true occupation never changes:

“Your kingdom come. Your will be done.”

We work.
We provide.
We steward.

But we do not live for money.
We do not serve success.
We do not bow to security.

Because no man can love God and money.

Only one gives life.

Jesus then exposes the greatest threat to discipleship:

Shame.

“If anyone is ashamed of me… I will be ashamed of him.”

Most men do not reject Christ openly.
They hide Him quietly.

They fear being labeled.
They fear being excluded.
They fear being mocked.
They fear losing influence.

So they stay silent.

But silence is not neutral.
It is a form of denial.

Following Jesus in a sinful generation will cost you.

Some will distance themselves.
Some will reject you.
Some will oppose you.
Some may even attack you.

But Jesus never promised safety.
He promised life.

And life only comes through death to self.

The man who loses his life for Christ will save it.

Every time.

Run Today’s Play:

1. Say “No” to One Compromise
Identify one area where comfort, pride, or fear controls you—and surrender it today.

2. Take Up Your Cross Intentionally
Choose obedience this week even when it costs reputation, money, or convenience.

3. Reclaim Your Mission
Ask: Who am I helping follow Jesus more closely? Take one step toward discipling someone.

4. Reject Shame
Confess Christ openly in your words, choices, and priorities.

Live unashamed.
Die to self.
Follow Jesus.