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Having taken a break to Luke at the birth of Jesus Christ in Luke’s Gospel we return to the Gospel of Mark.

In Mark Chapter 8 we read for the first time that Jesus Christ must suffer – and must be rejected – and must be killed – and must rise again.

Jesus Christ, the Son of God, gave His life willingly. He laid it down, we read in the Gospel of John. No man took it from Him. Man was used, yes – but Jesus Christ surrendered, and shed His blood, and gave His life willingly and sacrificially on the cross.

Blood in the Bible means a life given or taken before its natural end.

Jesus’ death demonstrates not only the bankruptcy of the world, but it also reveals the character of God.

Jesus death was not a failure – but these disciples could not see or understand that truth at that time – just as people cannot see it today.

Jesus did not come and take power to pull down corrupt regimes. Jesus came to defeat Satan and to forgive sin.

If you are going to follow ME, you will have to deny SELF – take SELF and crucify SELF.

If you are going to follow ME you will have to denounce safety and security.

We are called to be fools for Christ. This is why we too in a different way – and in different ways – are called to take up our cross – and be crucified with Christ.

There is no self preservation here – you are prepared to lose your life.

We have to learn to lay down our resources – and pick up God’s resources – and God gives all that we need for service – through the power of the Holy Spirit.

LIFE is the word PSYCHE from which we get our word psychology. This denotes our identity – our personality – this is what makes us distinct.

Take up your cross – that is something you can lay down – and walk away from. It is not sickness. People speak about this is the cross I have to carry – and it may have little to do with what Jesus means.

We take it up and carry it – and go on carrying the cross.

This is radical. This goes right to our roots. In a day when we hear much about ‘radicalisation’ this is extreme radicalisation – revealing extreme love and abundant mercy and redeeming grace – grace that buys back to God and for God what has been lost.

We want to do well. We want to be successful.

Man wants a fulfilling career that brings money – reputation – status.

Jesus says – whoever will lose his life – for ME and for the GOSPEL, will find it.

Success must not be your goal. This must be rethought. Values have to be examined. We are not to go for success as the world regards success.

All this was troubling Peter – Peter had a different agenda – and Peter’s agenda did not involve suffering – and Jesus has to explain and teach.

Weakness and vulnerability and sacrifice and obedience to the Father are all being revealed here. This King is very different.

These ‘difficult’ words may not have been on our agenda, but they were on Christ’s agenda and He calls us to follow Him.

We have a choice, but we cannot always choose the consequences of our choices.

"Voice of Inspiration" from Andy Castro

Treason