Mark 8:34-38

Remember the Ukrainian born comedian Yakov Smirnoff who began his career in Russia, then migrated to the United States? He’s actually still performing in Branson.

When Smirnoff first came to the US he said that he was not prepared for the incredible variety of instant products available in grocery stores. “On my first shopping trip, I saw powered milk. You just add water, and you get milk.”

“Then I saw powered orange juice. You just add water, and you get orange juice.”

“Then I saw baby powder, and I though to myself ‘What a country!’”

Of course, the comedian was joking. But sadly too many people think you can take a sinner, just add water, and presto, you have a disciple of Christ.

Discipleship is not instantaneous. One doesn’t immediately arise from the water of baptism as a mature Christian with a well developed faith. Ken Hemphill right when he wrote. “Discipleship is a process, not an event.”

In today’s text, Jesus speaks of the essential elements of the discipleship process.

#1 Total Surrender

“Whoever desires to come after Me, let him deny himself” (V. 34)

“Denying self is not the same as self-denial,” observed commentator Warren Wiersbe. One may practice self-denial to for a worthy goal. To lose weight. Save money. Train for a race. Or a thousand other activities.

Denying one’s self speaks to a total surrender to Christ and His cause. As the apostle Paul put it, “I have been crucified with Christ; it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me” (Gal. 2:20).

Gospel preacher and Bible commentator, Colly Caldwell, observes “The follower of Christ adopts a new identity. He puts himself totally at the disposal of Jesus.”

#2 Daily Sacrifice

“take up his cross” (v. 34)

Jesus literally bore the cross. What will we bear for Him? What will we sacrifice? Or give up? ,Or renounce? Or suffer?

Martin Luther is credited with saying, “A religion that gives nothing, costs nothing, and suffers nothing, is worth nothing.”

#3 Obediently Following

“follow Me” (v. 34)

The Bible biographers record Jesus’ oft spoken words, “Follow Me,” as He called Andrew, his brother Peter, Matthew and other disciples. I wonder if this was on Peter’s mind when he penned, “Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in His steps” (1 Pet. 2:21).

Those who know the original language inform us that the verb implies continued action. A persistent pursuit. Furthermore, following Jesus necessitates obeying Him. Submitting to His will. Complying with His commandments.

#4 Life’s Paradox

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake and the gospel’s will save it” (v. 35)

“In the matter of life we lose by saving, and save by losing; we die by living, and live by dying,” observed W. Graham Scroggie. It’s a profound mystery that the world doesn’t understand. It’s the difference between viewing life as an end within itself, and seeing life as preface to eternity.

A life “lost” in devoted discipleship, will be “saved” in a heavenly reward.

#5 True Value

“For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world, and loses his own soul? Or what will a man give in exchange for his soul? (V. 36-37)

These rhetoric questions raise this important issue: What are your governing values? Your priorities? What do you treasure?

Satan offered Jesus “all the Kingdoms of the world” (Lk.4:5). What has he offered you? Pleasure? Power? Prestige? Possessions? Wealth? If you could possess all of these to the ultimate degree, their combined worth would not equal the value of your soul.

#6 Unashamed Commitment

“For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words in this adulterous and sinful generation, of him the Son of Man also will be ashamed when He comes in the glory of His Father with the holy angels.” (V. 38)

Paul said, “I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ?” (Rom. 1:16). What about you? And me? Are we embarrassed to be called a Christian? Reluctant to mention Jesus? Afraid of ridicule for our faith? Bashful to talk about the Bible?

Discipleship is not easy, convenient, or automatic following baptism. It takes work. Requires devotion. And demands discipline.

You can’t just add water to instantly create a disciple.

–Ken Weliever, The Preacherman