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. What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? If anyone is ashamed of me and my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of them when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
—Mark 8:34-38

~~~~~

The Way of the Cross
By Jennifer Kane

Mist clings to the winding path,
silent as breath upon still water.
Bamboo groves bend with morning wind,
their whispers teaching more than speech.

The timeless one walks with quiet steps,
his robe brushing dew from hidden stones.
He does not speak of power or fame—
only of dying to rise again.

I follow, barefoot, where few have gone,
each thorn a lesson, each climb a prayer.
He points to birds that leave no nest,
to lilies that bloom without worry.

“Let go,” he says, “as autumn lets go—
leaves do not weep when called to fall.”
I cast aside my heavy pride,
and feel the lightness of a servant’s heart.

Rivers cross us; he walks through first.
Hunger visits; he feeds with unseen hand.
Night falls; a lantern glows within him,
its flame lit from some eternal fire.

At the summit, I see the road behind—
not paved in ease, but in mercy.
He turns, and I see at last—
not sage, nor scholar, nor mere man.

Hands scarred like the tree-split sky,
eyes that held the first morning light.
He says, “This path is not only mine.
Take up your cross, and walk behind.”

~~~~~

Scripture: Mark 8:34-38

Imagine a young martial arts student, eager to learn. He walks into the dojo, eyes wide, filled with dreams of glory. He pictures himself mastering flashy moves, earning respect, maybe even becoming a legend. But his master meets him with a firm gaze and three words: “Empty your cup.”

The disciple soon learns that real mastery begins not with adding, but with subtracting. Pride must be set aside. Comfort must be sacrificed. Every movement must be unlearned before it can be refined. It is a long, humbling path—and the master insists on daily surrender.

This mirrors the way Jesus calls us to follow Him: “Deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Me.” This isn’t about a badge of faith—it’s about a full surrender to the Master’s way. In Jesus’ day, the cross wasn’t a symbol of devotion or discomfort. It was an execution stake. A one-way journey. When Jesus said “take up your cross,” He meant, “Come die with Me.”

Like the disciple in the dojo, we come with assumptions—often thinking Christianity is about becoming better, happier, more fulfilled. But Jesus calls us not to improve the old self, but to die to it. We cannot follow Jesus until we lay down our right to direct our own lives. The way of the cross is a daily death to self—and yet paradoxically, it is where true life begins.

The martial arts disciple finds that in losing what he thought made him strong, he becomes stronger than ever. In denying himself, he learns the master’s movements. In submitting, he becomes free.

Likewise, Jesus says, “Whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it.” To carry the cross is not to embrace pain for its own sake, but to trade temporary gain for eternal glory. We may forfeit popularity, power, or ease—but we gain our soul, our purpose, and the presence of Christ.

Jesus ends with a warning and a promise. If we are ashamed of Him—of walking the unpopular, humble, cruciform path—He will be ashamed of us when He returns. But if we walk faithfully with Him, even down death row, we will also see glimpses of the kingdom in power. Just as the student sees his strength grow under the master’s hand, we will witness God’s power transform our weakness into something beautiful.

Ask yourself today—am I truly following Jesus, or merely admiring Him from a distance? What parts of my life still cling to self-preservation, pride, or comfort? What would it look like to take up my cross today?

Lay it down. Follow the Master. Train in His ways, and find life.

~~~~~

Lord Jesus, You are the Master I long to follow. Teach me to deny myself, to take up my cross, and to walk in Your steps. Help me surrender my pride, my fears, and my desire for comfort. Shape me in Your likeness through every trial and test. Let me not be ashamed of You, but bold in my love and obedience. Show me the power of Your kingdom even as I walk the way of the cross. I trust that in losing my life for Your sake, I will find true life in You. Amen.

May 4 2025