Jesus’ Call for Committed Followers, Not Fans

After Peter identifies Jesus as “the Christ of God” and Jesus predicts His own torturous death and resurrection, Jesus invites anyone who would come after Him to “deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow” Him. As there is no comfortable way to carry a cross – no matter how one positions it – the heart of discipleship entails following Jesus at all times and at any cost. Yet everyone who by faith loses his/her life now for the sake of following Jesus here gains it for eternity.