Following Christ
H. M. Grout, D. D. Mark 8:34 And when he had called the people to him with his disciples also, he said to them, Whoever will come after me, let him deny himself… Here Christ very distinctly sets before all men the conditions of discipleship in His school, and of citizenship in His kingdom. It is not a kingdom of earthly splendour. If any would come after Him, they must expect hardships, self-denial, cross-bearing, and scorn. Their rest and reward were not yet. He was, indeed, the Messiah; but it was by a rough pathway that He would bring His followers to glory. Notice — I. THE UNHESITATING WAY IN WHICH JESUS ASSUMES TO BE OUR RIGHTFUL LEADER. Elsewhere He is man's Teacher, Master, Friend, Saviour. Here He invites followers, and offers and claims to lead. 1. Man needs a Leader; life's byways are many; the labyrinth is deep; its duration is short; the stake is great. Man's native tendency is not upward. 2. Jesus has a rightful claim to be our Leader. He proves it by the greatness, and wisdom, and perfection of His person and character. II. THE SOBERING WAY IN WHICH JESUS ANNOUNCES THE COST OF FOLLOWING HIM. "Whosoever will" — this points to obstacles to be overcome, and trials to be borne. To be a true follower of Christ one needs the courage of deep conviction and strong desire. This may seem stern. So it is. But it is not arbitrary or unfeeling. There are two reasons for denying self. 1. The "self" in us is to be denied, because it is wrong. Personal salvation, without the denial of the old nature, the sinful self in us, would be a contradiction. 2. The new spirit that is in us requires it. The follower of Christ has gone over to His side, and become His servant and soldier. But his new work is not easy. It was not easy to the Saviour, for it cost Him humiliation, and privations, and obloquy, and pains. III. THE CHEERING WAY IN WHICH JESUS SETS BEFORE US THE REWARDS OF FAITHFULLY FOLLOWING HIM. While Christ was the greatest of all preachers of self-sacrifice, He uniformly recommended it by pledges of future good. The reward He promises is not of any lower or sensual kind. It is that of activity, calling into right and glad exercise every power we possess. (H. M. Grout, D. D.) Parallel Verses 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. WEB: He called the multitude to himself with his disciples, and said to them, "Whoever wants to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.