Are we ready to continue the journey towards the cross in this year’s Lent? Let’s prepare our heart by turning off any distraction like the TV, cellphone, computer etc., and silent ourselves before we begin to read. Here Jesus gives a very important teaching to his disciples, and his disciples of the modern day – us!

 

 

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

 

“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. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”

 

 

Devotion Questions

 

• Jesus said if we are to be a true follower of His, we must deny ourselves and pick up our cross. This may be difficult to understand at first, but think about this – can we follow someone and follow our own heart at the same time? If we are to truly follow someone, don’t we have to stop following our own heart and our own desire? This is what Jesus means by denying ourselves.

 

• In our society sometimes it is so difficult to truly follow Jesus because our culture teaches us we matter the most to ourselves. Our own life is centered around ourselves – what works for us, what is in our benefit, our pleasure … This is a problem even among Christians. Our own interest is too important, our ego too big. Our preference get twisted into our needs, and our needs continuously expand and it gets so big we have no space in our heart for our faith and what Jesus wants from us. Even for many of us who serve at church what we want takes priority over what the church needs from us. Take a moment to reflect, is that true? Is that us? Remember, Jesus tells us “Deny yourself.”

 

• Quiet before the Lord and ask ourselves – Are we ready to deny ourselves and make sacrifices to truly follow our Lord? Are we ready to say “No” to some of our desires, and say “Yes” to God’s calling? Are we willing to make sacrifices when it comes to our time? Our money? Or even our career, our relationship with family and friends?

 

• Pray to Jesus “Dear Jesus, I know you love me, to the extent you consciously chose the cross to redeem me. Jesus I am not ashamed of your words, but forgive me as I am weak. Give me courage, and grant me wisdom, so that I can stand up for you and your teachings – first with my deeds, then with my mouth. I ask for these in your holy name. Amen.”