25 Jesus Tells You What to Do . . . “If anyone desires to come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 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.” Mark 8:34,35 You must deny yourself and take up your cross and follow Jesus. You must deny yourself of any plans or possessions or people that are keeping you from following Jesus. Only God knows what is best for you and your work, and you must reject any plans or possessions that prevent you from following Jesus. Friends or members of your family may turn against you, but your fellowship and friendship with Jesus must be your preeminent relationship (Matthew 10:34-39). Is following Jesus worth the cost of losing your possessions or losing your friends or family members? Jesus asks you two very important questions that will help you in making the decision to deny yourself and follow Jesus. If you were to succeed in all your financial goals and if you kept all your relationships (family and friends), how would that be to your benefit if you lose your soul in hell? Then, you must take up your cross and follow Jesus. The cross is a symbol of suffering, shame, and death. If we take up our cross we will face rejection, persecution, hard- ship, and possibly even death as we follow Christ. Jesus suffered persecution and death on a cross for you. If you receive Him as your Lord, He will require that you take up your cross and willingly suffer for Him. 36 “For what shall it profit a man, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? 37 Or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?” Mark 8:36,37 (KJV)