Mark 8:34-35

Peace to you my brothers and sisters.

Today’s Bible Verse: [Mark 8:34-35 KJV] And when he had called the people [unto him] with his disciples also, he said unto them, Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; but whosoever shall lose his life for my sake and the gospel's, the same shall save it.

Mark was quoting Jesus. I have heard some say that at this point, before the cross, that His disciples would not have understood what He meant by take up his cross, but I disagree. They all knew that the cross was the instrument of Roman torture and death and also knew that only the condemned were forced by the Romans to take up; that is, carry their cross to their place of death. What they probably may not have known at that time was that following the path of Jesus may lead them to condemnation in this world but He was telling them then that it could.

When we walk in His ways we stand the chance of persecution. Honestly, we are persecuted every day because we are not allowed to bring Jesus into many everyday places because He is not politically correct. Our Christianity should be reflected in everything we do and to deny it is denying Him. If others do not like it tell them, “This is who I am, a Christian. If you do not like it, you do not have to stay. But if you do stay you might actually learn what it means.”

We all have a job.

[Matthew 28:18-20 KJV] And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

All of the disciples of Jesus are to spread His word and the gospel.

This is the gospel of Jesus: [1 Corinthians 15:1-6 KJV] Moreover, brethren, I declare unto you the gospel which I preached unto you, which also ye have received, and wherein ye stand; By which also ye are saved, if ye keep in memory what I preached unto you, unless ye have believed in vain. For I delivered unto you first of all that which I also received, how that Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures; And that he was buried, and that he rose again the third day according to the scriptures: And that he was seen of Cephas, then of the twelve: After that, he was seen of above five hundred brethren at once; of whom the greater part remain unto this present, but some are fallen asleep.

Go forth and spread this good news.

I hope this has been a blessing to you. May the rest of your day be blessed. Peace.