Slices
Prepare
Reflect on your decision or realisation that you wanted to follow Jesus. What difference did it make to your life?
Bible passage
Jesus predicts his death
31 He then began to teach them that the Son of Man must suffer many things and be rejected by the elders, the chief priests and the teachers of the law, and that he must be killed and after three days rise again. 32 He spoke plainly about this, and Peter took him aside and began to rebuke him.
33 But when Jesus turned and looked at his disciples, he rebuked Peter. ‘Get behind me, Satan!’ he said. ‘You do not have in mind the concerns of God, but merely human concerns.’
The way of the cross
34 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. 35 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me and for the gospel will save it. 36 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? 37 Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? 38 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.’
9 And he said to them, ‘Truly I tell you, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see that the kingdom of God has come with power.’
Explore
Today’s passage begins with Jesus challenging his disciples with the insight that, if they want to be his followers, they need to deny themselves, take up their cross and follow him (v 34). Is this a message you heard when you decided to follow Jesus? What do you think gets in the way of people following Jesus today?
Jesus then goes on to ask the disciples what good it is for someone to gain the whole world yet forfeit their soul (v 36). Other translations, such as the NRSV, use the word ‘life’ instead of ‘soul’, which perhaps makes it clearer that gaining the whole world and losing your life is a foolish endeavour.
Further, Jesus goes on to ask what they can give in return for their life which hints at what his death and resurrection will accomplish – as Christians we have eternal life because of what Jesus has done.
The passage finishes with a warning about being ashamed of Jesus and his words – something that is important to consider as we seek to live out our Christian lives. How do people know that you are a Christian?
Respond
What does it mean for you, today, to deny yourself, take up your cross and follow Jesus? Is there one action you think God is calling you to today?
Bible in a year
Read the Bible in a year: Isaiah 15,16; Psalm 103
Pray for Scripture Union
Emma Price, Regional Mission Support Worker, asks us to pray for the young people currently booking on to attend the Amplify Academy residential in October, and for the team of leaders who will be guiding and supporting these young people over the next year.
