In The Roman world, the cross was a symbol of shame, guilt suffering, and rejection. There could be no more despicable way to die. Crucifixion was not mentioned in polite conversation. Jesus laid down the stern requirements for discipleship. We must first "say no" to ourselves not simply to pleasures or possessions, but to self-and then take up our cross and follow him daily. This means to be identified with Him in surrender, suffering, and sacrifice. You cannot crucify yourself; you can only yield your body (Rom. 12:1-2) and let God do the rest. This life seems foolish to the world; but to the Christian it is wisdom. To save your life is to lose it, and how can you ever get it back again? But to give your life to Christ is to save it and to live it in fullness. If a person owned the whole world, he would still be to poor to buy back a lost life. Discipleship is a daily discipline: we follow Jesus a step at a time, a day at a time. Our motive should always be to glorify Christ. Anyone who is ashamed of Christ will never take up a cross and follow Him. But if we are ashamed of Him now, He will be ashamed of us when He comes again and we will be ashamed before Him. Jesus asks Peter two questions in this passage and as I think about I think he's asking the same questions to us. 1.Who do people say that I am, 2. And who do you say that I am. So I want to leave you with that question who is Jesus to you??
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