Mark 8:34-35
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.”

Jesus laid down His life in the service of God. In His humanness He also had to deal with His ego. He had to choose God’s wishes over whatever His ego desired. He had to deny those self-centered desires…and take up God’s mission for His life. That mission would undermine the power structures of both government and religion…and quite literally lead Him to take up His cross. But death did not win. The cross led to His resurrection and new life. Jesus doesn’t ask us to just believe in Him. He doesn’t ask us to like Him, be a fan of His, or to worship Him. He does ask us to “follow” Him. Jesus promises that if we do…the life we lose will not compare to the life we gain. We will discover our true selves. What could be more important than that?

Suggested song of the day– “I Want to Follow You” on the Listen to Your Heart album.
Hear free clips of Bill’s songs by clicking on Bill Tonnis’ Music on iTunes to the right.
CDs available by clicking “home” and then the “store” tab.
Remember…God loves you!