He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it.

Mark 8:34-35


Mark points out that Jesus summons the crowd, because the invitation to follow him is extended to every single person. In order to come after Jesus, one must “deny himself, take up his cross,” and follow Jesus. It’s a commitment to self-sacrifice and obedience, to giving up our individuality. And Jesus asks us to accept the challenges of being his followers, even though it may not always be easy.

Like Peter, we can know Jesus one minute and forget him the next. And so, we need to be reminded again and again:  Jesus is enough. Rather than having to constantly worry about satisfying all these other masters, we have one Master, one focal point, who is Jesus. We have one Lord, Jesus. We have one Lord whom we can trust, because he goes before us and lays down his life for us on the cross.

Say today, “Jesus is enough. I will follow him.” Listen for God’s direction and practice quietly opening your heart to his call to be a follower of Jesus.