Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow him. This is a call to have the mind of Christ. It is a call to say no to self and experience true life in Christ. Denying ourselves means saying no to our selfish desires and ambitions and saying yes to God's will for our lives. It means trusting God to provide for our needs and to give us the strength to carry our cross. When we deny ourselves, we are saying that we trust God more than ourselves.

Taking up our cross means following Jesus's example of humility, obedience, and service. It means being willing to suffer for the sake of others and to give up our own desires and ambitions for the sake of God's kingdom. When we take up our cross, we are saying that we are willing to follow Jesus no matter what the cost.

Following Jesus means walking in his footsteps and living according to his teachings. It means obeying his commandments and living in love and service to others. When we follow Jesus, we are saying that we trust him to lead us to eternal life.

Main Scripture Passage: Mark 8:27-38