An Exposition of Mark 8:34-38

What is the heart of this word "Gospel" we speak of so often? You know well

that the gospel is the good news that God saves sinners. He sent Jesus

Christ to be our substitute. He lived perfectly and died to bear the wrath

of God for all who would trust in Him. He rose again on the third day

according to the Scriptures, and He ascended to heaven where He makes

intercession at the right hand of the Father. 

That is a simple message. And yet as Paul told the Corinthians, he was

fearful that they would be led astray from the simplicity of devotion to

Christ (2 Corinthians 11:3). Satan is working to distract and detract from

this message of simple clarity.

In Mark 8:34-38, Jesus will use exacting and precise language to make it

crystal clear what it means to follow Him in the path of discipleship. The

path is costly, but the reward is valuable and enduring.