Is This Really What I Signed Up For
Understanding the True Call and Cost of Discipleship
Mark 8:34-38
Introduction:
Today, we are going to dive deep into a passage from the Gospel of Mark that challenges us to consider the true cost and call of discipleship. This passage, Mark 8:34-38, often leads us to question, "Is this what I really signed up for?" Let us explore these verses verse-by-verse to understand Jesus' call to His followers and find strength and encouragement in His words.
Scripture Reading:
Mark 8:34-38 (NASB): 34 And He summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 35 For whoever wants to save his [r]life will lose it, but whoever loses his [s]life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it. 36 For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? 37 For what could a person give in exchange for his soul? 38 For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.”
Illustration:
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, was a well-known German pastor and theologian during World War II. Bonhoeffer had a promising career and a comfortable life ahead of him, yet he chose a path that ultimately led to his martyrdom. When the Nazi regime rose to power, Bonhoeffer spoke out against its atrocities and the church's complicity. He actively participated in the resistance, knowing well the danger it posed to his own life.
Bonhoeffer’s decision to return to Germany from the safety of the United States, his involvement in a plot to overthrow Hitler, and his writings on the cost of discipleship exemplify his commitment to following Jesus, even unto death. He famously wrote, "When Christ calls a man, he bids him come and die." Bonhoeffer understood the cost of true discipleship, embodying the very essence of denying oneself, taking up one's cross, and following Christ.
In his final days, Bonhoeffer faced execution with a profound sense of peace and conviction, having fully embraced the call of Christ. His life serves as a powerful illustration of the message in Mark 8:34-38, challenging us to consider the true cost of following Jesus and to remain steadfast in our faith, no matter the cost.
Verse 34: The Call to Discipleship
"And He summoned the crowd together with His disciples, and said to them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me."
Exposition:
Jesus speaks to both the crowd and His disciples, indicating that this message is for all who would consider following Him. The call to "deny themselves" means rejecting self-centeredness and self-will. The phrase "take up their cross" refers to a willingness to endure suffering, persecution, and even death for the sake of Christ. Following Jesus means walking in His footsteps, embracing His mission, and living out His teachings.
Illustration:
Think about the life of Mother Teresa, a well-known figure who exemplifies the call to "deny themselves" and "take up their cross." Born as Anjezë Gonxhe Bojaxhiu in Macedonia, she felt a deep calling to serve the poorest of the poor. Leaving behind a comfortable life, she moved to the slums of Calcutta, India, to care for the destitute and dying.
Mother Teresa’s life was marked by profound self-denial. She gave up personal comforts and any semblance of a typical life to live among those she served. She endured hardships, including physical ailments and moments of spiritual desolation, yet she persisted in her mission. Her willingness to endure suffering and persecution for the sake of Christ’s love and compassion is a clear example of what it means to "take up their cross."
Her dedication to walking in Jesus' footsteps, embracing His mission, and living out His teachings made a global impact, inspiring countless others to follow her example of selfless service. Mother Teresa’s life reminds us that following Jesus often requires great personal sacrifice and a steadfast commitment to serving others, reflecting the very heart of the gospel message.
Application:
Ask yourself: Are you willing to deny yourself, to put aside your own desires for the sake of Christ? Are you ready to take up your cross, enduring hardships for His name? True discipleship demands this level of commitment and sacrifice.
Verse 35: The Paradox of Life and Loss
" For whoever wants to save his [r]life will lose it, but whoever loses his [s]life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it."
Exposition:
Here, Jesus presents a paradox that challenges conventional wisdom. The desire to "save" one's life, to cling to it and prioritize self-preservation, ultimately leads to losing it. In contrast, those who "lose" their life for Jesus and the gospel will actually find true life. This is a call to surrender, to trust that in giving up our lives for Christ, we gain something far greater.
Illustration:
Jim Elliot, a missionary who famously said, "He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain what he cannot lose." Jim Elliot, along with four other missionaries, felt a strong call to reach the unreached Auca (now known as Huaorani) people in the jungles of Ecuador. Despite knowing the dangers, they decided to risk their lives to share the gospel with this isolated and often hostile tribe.
In 1956, Jim and his companions made contact with the Huaorani, but were tragically killed by members of the tribe. From a worldly perspective, it seemed they had lost everything—their lives, their futures, their families. However, their deaths were not in vain. The story of their sacrifice spread worldwide, inspiring many to commit their lives to missionary work and to spread the message of Christ.
Moreover, the families of the slain missionaries, including Jim's wife, Elisabeth Elliot, later returned to live among the Huaorani, leading many of them to faith in Christ. Jim Elliot's willingness to "lose" his life for the sake of Jesus and the gospel ultimately led to a greater impact than he could have imagined, demonstrating the truth of Jesus' paradoxical teaching.
Jim Elliot’s life and death exemplify the profound truth that in surrendering our lives to Christ, we gain far more than we lose. His legacy continues to inspire Christians to live boldly and sacrificially for the sake of the gospel.
Application:
Reflect on what it means to lose your life for Christ. It involves surrendering your plans, ambitions, and even your sense of security. Trust that in this surrender, you will find a richer, fuller life in Him.
Verses 36-37: The Value of the Soul
"For what does it benefit a person to gain the whole world, and forfeit his soul? For what could a person give in exchange for his soul?"
Exposition:
These rhetorical questions highlight the incomparable value of the soul. The whole world, with all its wealth and pleasures, is not worth the cost of losing one's soul. Nothing can be given in exchange for it; the soul's worth is beyond measure.
Illustration:
Think about the story of Howard Hughes, one of the wealthiest and most successful men of the 20th century. Hughes was a billionaire industrialist, filmmaker, and aviator who seemingly had it all—wealth, fame, and influence. Despite his immense riches and the ability to indulge in every pleasure and luxury the world could offer, Hughes' life ended in a tragic tale of isolation, paranoia, and despair.
In his later years, Hughes became increasingly reclusive, consumed by his obsessions and fears. He spent his final days locked away in darkened rooms, afraid of germs, and detached from reality. His vast fortune and all the power it afforded him could not buy him peace, happiness, or salvation. Howard Hughes' story is a poignant reminder that no amount of wealth or worldly success can substitute for the value of one's soul.
Hughes' life illustrates the truth of Jesus' rhetorical questions in Mark 8:36-37. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul? Despite gaining the whole world, Hughes lost what was most valuable—his soul, his peace, and ultimately, his connection to the true source of life and fulfillment. His story serves as a sobering reminder that the soul's worth is beyond measure and that true life is found not in material wealth but in a relationship with God.
Application:
Consider what you might be tempted to prioritize over your soul. Are you seeking worldly success, comfort, or approval at the expense of your spiritual well-being? Jesus calls us to recognize the supreme value of our souls and to live in a way that reflects this truth.
Verse 38: Unashamed of the Gospel
"For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will also be ashamed of him when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels."
Exposition:
Jesus warns against being ashamed of Him and His teachings. In a world that often opposes and mocks the gospel, it can be tempting to hide our faith. However, Jesus makes it clear that those who are ashamed of Him will face His shame when He returns in glory.
Illustration:
Think of the story of Eric Liddell, the Scottish Olympic runner made famous by the film "Chariots of Fire." In the 1924 Paris Olympics, Liddell was favored to win the 100-meter race. However, when he learned that the heats were scheduled on a Sunday, he refused to compete because he believed it was the Lord's Day, a time for worship and rest.
Despite immense pressure from his countrymen and Olympic officials, Liddell stood firm in his faith, choosing to honor God over pursuing personal glory. Many mocked and criticized him for what they saw as a foolish decision. However, Liddell’s steadfastness paid off. He competed later in the 400-meter race, which was not his specialty, and won the gold medal, setting a new world record.
Eric Liddell’s courage to stand by his beliefs, despite societal pressure and ridicule, exemplifies Jesus' warning against being ashamed of Him and His teachings. Liddell’s story reminds us that faithfulness to Christ is more important than worldly approval or success. When we are unashamed of our faith, even in the face of opposition, we honor God and align ourselves with His eternal glory.
Application:
Evaluate your boldness in professing your faith. Are you standing firm in the face of opposition and ridicule? Jesus calls us to be unashamed of Him, knowing that our steadfastness will be rewarded in His coming kingdom.
Illustration:
Consider the life and legacy of John and Betty Stam, American missionaries to China in the 1930s. They were deeply committed to following Jesus, embracing His call to deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow Him. Newly married and full of zeal for the gospel, they moved to China to share the love of Christ with those who had never heard it.
In 1934, amidst growing political unrest and anti-Christian sentiment, John and Betty were captured by communist soldiers. They were given the opportunity to renounce their faith and save their lives, but they chose to remain steadfast, refusing to be ashamed of Jesus and His teachings.
The soldiers paraded them through the streets, mocking them and their faith. Despite this humiliation and the looming threat of death, John and Betty’s peace and courage were evident to all who saw them. They knew that clinging to their faith and their mission was worth far more than any temporary relief they might find in denying Christ.
The couple was eventually executed, leaving behind their infant daughter, Helen, who was miraculously rescued by local Christians. Their deaths seemed like a tragic loss, but their story inspired a wave of missionary zeal and faithfulness among believers worldwide. The message was clear: the cost of discipleship is high, but the value of the soul is beyond measure.
John and Betty Stam’s story encapsulates the profound truths of Mark 8:34-38. They denied themselves, took up their cross, and followed Jesus to the very end. In losing their lives for the sake of the gospel, they gained eternal life and left a legacy that continues to inspire. Their unashamed faith in the face of persecution and death demonstrates the ultimate trust in Jesus’ promise that those who lose their life for His sake will save it.
Their sacrifice reminds us that no amount of worldly wealth or safety can compare to the eternal value of our souls. When faced with the question, "Is this what I really signed up for?" their story encourages us to remain steadfast, knowing that the true reward is found in following Jesus, no matter the cost.
Conclusion:
As we reflect on Mark 8:34-38, we see that following Jesus is not always easy. It involves self-denial, carrying our crosses, surrendering our lives, valuing our souls, and being unashamed of our faith. This is the path of true discipleship.
When we question if this is what we really signed up for, let us remember that the journey, though challenging, leads to true life, eternal rewards, and the glory of being with Christ forever. Let us commit to wholeheartedly following Jesus, embracing His call, and finding our true life in Him. Amen.
