Mark 8:34-35
He called the crowd and his disciples together and said to them, “If anyone wants to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. For whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it.
Dear Lord Jesus,
You want only volunteers to be your followers and no one to be compelled or forced to be your disciples. How do we volunteer? When we deny ourselves daily, we take up our crosses and follow you. We look in the mirror and see that horrible sinfulness that should draw us to the abyss of hell; our sinful natures work against us, wanting us to deny you. Following our loveless desires, we are pulled away from you, and without your forgiveness, we are doomed.
How do we deny ourselves? By seeing our sins when we look at ourselves in the mirror of your commandments. We use your word to see our sins, and then we ask for forgiveness for all our sins. Nothing on earth will save us from our sins—not good intentions, a better tomorrow than today, or being a good person will save us. Lord, we are saved only by your love and mercy.
You lived the perfect life for us and suffered our punishment on that cross; only you and your crucifixion will save us. So, let us focus on what matters: our salvation. We do this according to your words: denying ourselves, returning to your cross, and laying all our sins before you.
Lord, give us strength to trust your words to know we are forgiven. Thank you for sending the Holy Spirit to create saving faith in us. Guide us by faith to live sanctified lives so we desire to deny our sinful cravings and feed our faith with your Word and Sacraments. Never let us fall; fill us with the love that keeps us clinging to you. Salvation and eternal life are restored through you—your life and death. Let us hold on to these truths no matter what life should bring us.
Give us opportunities to share this good news of your love and mercy with those who do not know you. So that through your Holy Spirit, they, too, will come to faith and deny themselves and hand their sins over to you so that they will receive your forgiveness and have the promise of eternal life. Amen.
Written through Pastor Roger Emmons
Trusting in God is not forced but makes us part of the most outstanding all-volunteer group of believers—the heavenly saints. Deny yourself again today, go to the cross, and believe Jesus’ words that you are forgiven because only there do you have eternal life.