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Are You a True Disciple of Jesus?

In the book of Mark, right after Peter’s confession of Jesus as the promised Messiah, Jesus proclaims and predicts his coming rejection, suffering, and death (Mark 8:31-33). A commentator wrote, “The disciples will have a hard time processing that the Messiah can suffer like this… how such a glorious figure can suffer such a fate”. Indeed, Peter then rebukes Jesus for saying this!

Whoever who wants to save their life will lose it

Immediately after that, Mark notes, Then he called the crowd to him along with his disciples and said: “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. (Mark 8:34-35).

This is the clearest description of what it means to be Jesus’ disciple. After proclaiming his own rejection, suffering and death, Jesus declares that anyone who becomes his disciple must walk the same journey!

Deny themselves. Take up their cross. Follow me.

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Deny themselves like Simon and Andrew who left their identities as fishermen. Like James and John who left their identity as sons of Zebedee and the family business (Mark 1:16-20).

Take up their cross and endure rejection, suffering and sacrifice as Jesus does.

Follow Jesus to where?

The first two describe how to follow him. But “follow me” where? I believe Jesus meant ‘follow me… to the cross’.

This is discipleship according to Jesus! And thus, this is the only discipleship that matters. “Following” involves a commitment that makes all other ties & pursuits secondary. Jesus is put first, so even family and vocation become secondary. The cost and the commitment are spelled out. Cheap, cool and easy? No! But this is what it is. No wonder he adds the next line for he knows that not many will be willing to ‘lose their life’ for him and for the gospel.

Turn your eyes to Jesus

As Good Friday and Easter approaches, is this what being Jesus’ disciple means to you? Or has discipleship mutated into some fancy, self-serving schema far-removed from what Jesus said? Of greater concern is whether we have turned our attention to mere frills and forms rather than the substance of following Jesus’ path and example.

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‘Jesus First’ is at the top of GBC’s list of values. May it hold true for each of us because we are his disciples as he himself has defined.

Dear Lord, we choose not to stand with the world in its contempt for Jesus. But we gladly and wholeheartedly commit to identify with him, to whom our soul is ultimately accountable. Grant us your grace to persevere along the way of the cross and help us fix our eyes on the author and perfecter of our faith, our Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Blessings!

This message is prepared by Mok Kok Hoong, former pastor of Georgetown Baptist Church, 2011-2021.