Jesus follows up his rebuke of Peter from last week by painting a picture of what it looks like to follow him. It has something to do with dying and crosses. Not the greatest incentives to join the Jesus movement. But Jesus, as is always the case with Jesus, has something life-changing in mind.
Mark 8:34-38
34 He (Jesus) called the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “If any wish to come after me, let them deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. 35 For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake, and for the sake of the gospel, will save it. 36 For what will it profit them to gain the whole world and forfeit their life? 37 Indeed, what can they give in return for their life? 38 Those who are ashamed of me and of my words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of them the Son of Man will also be ashamed when he comes in the glory of his Father with the holy angels.” (NRSV)
