This document provides an in-depth summary and analysis of Jesus's teachings about discipleship and the cross based on passages from the Gospel of Mark. It discusses how Jesus ministers to others through miracles but then predicts his suffering, rejection, and death. It analyzes Jesus's teachings about discipleship requiring self-denial, cross-bearing, and following him even to death. The document also examines three key passages where Jesus predicts his death and teaches the disciples about discipleship and greatness found through servanthood rather than power.

1. The Servant of God - Jesus Christ
Through the first seven chapters Mark gives us a continuous narrative of Jesus as Servant -
ministering to the needs of so many. In rapid succession miracle after miracle is related with
details not found in the other Gospels and emphasis on Christ's hands touching those in
need. The like had never been witnessed since the foundation of the world. This truly is the
Son of God. The disciples are convinced, the multitudes are applauding everywhere - Public
acclaim has reached its high point. Surely he will be proclaimed king.
But at Chapter 8:31 we read in utter surprise along with the disciples - He began to teach
them that He must suffer, be rejected, and finally be killed. He spoke openly and in verse 34
He called the people, to take up their cross. For more info visit my website
http://www.thewaytoliveforever.com/
That such a ministry of mighty works and merciful cures and supernatural wisdom should
end in disgrace and death as a common criminal is surely the most incredible and tragic
enigma of the ages.
Jesus of course had seen all this. From this point onward, the cross is the uppermost in the
mind, and repeatedly on His lips.
The key verse of the Gospel is in chapter 10:45 -"The Son of Man came not to be ministered
unto, but to minister, and to give His life a ransom for many."
From chapter 8:22-10:52 we see Jesus with His disciples traveling from Caesarea Philippae,
north of Galilee, southward to the outskirts of Jerusalem. On the way, He instructs them
that the cross is the only way - His and theirs also.

2. The way of Jesus to the cross and the way of discipleship are most closely interwoven in
three passages (8:31-9:1; 9:30-37; 10:32-45). They follow a prophecy - misunderstanding -
instruction pattern.
Read 8:31-9:1. Immediately after Peter's recognition of Jesus as the Christ, Jesus reveals His
future death and resurrection, and that this is why He came - all according to the will of
God. He spoke plainly. Peter is shocked by these new and seemingly unthinkable
possibilities. Jesus rebukes him sternly as worldly "Satan" and tempting Jesus to think
contrary to God.
The disciples do not yet grasp why Jesus should have to give up His life, and in explanation
they are told that it is to be
their fate as well. Jesus calls the people to listen.
The Cost: three conditions for discipleship - 1.) We must deny ourselves. 2.) Take up our
crosses. 3.) Follow Him.
To deny ourselves is to give up our own total will in favor of God's will, not simply giving up
chocolate for lent.
To take up our crosses means to be willing to walk to our own death if we are to follow
Jesus, not bear some affliction or sorrow - an act of faith - and will.
Following Jesus means renouncing virtually everything we value, including if necessary our
very lives. And yet even more it means living for Him, with the fellowship of God,
ministering each day in God's will, with the very love of Christ shed abroad in our hearts by
the Holy Spirit. To see with the eyes of Christ the needs and hurts of everyone we might
meet - to touch them with kindness, concern, and forgiveness in the name of the Lord. To
follow Jesus is and must be to do what He would do were He where we are - of course
without His strength and guidance, His love and assurance we would be powerless to help
anyone.
Then a paradox - For whoever wants to save his life will lose it. But whoever loses his life for
my sake and for the sake of the gospel will save it.
The outcome of Jesus' death was resurrection, and ascension to the right hand of God. We
see the two ways of living contrasted - the natural human way is to work for our own
security and safety, our own power - in fact our own kingdom with castle and comforts. This
will all pass away and be destroyed. From God's point of view if we seek the Kingdom of God
and give our lives to the King's service we will inherit that kingdom in life eternal.
In verses 36 and 37 we see that gaining the whole world means giving up life - not only the
joys of real living here and now we know those who have sought this and their unhappy

3. lives -but also none can be carried from this world into the next, and all the world cannot
buy one day of eternal life.
The next two verses are a warning and a promise. Jesus will disown anyone who has
disowned Him in this world, indeed a warning of judgment. The cost of being a follower may
be high but the cost of not being a disciple is higher - to be rejected by Jesus. Then the
promise of power from on high is given - and that some will die shortly thereafter (possibly
Stephen).
9:30-37. Jesus and the disciples continue on their way to Jerusalem. Here He is teaching His
disciples privately. This prophecy is the simplest of the three. The hostile world will kill Him,
and He will rise the 3rd day. Possibly because of the rebuke they received the first time, we
see them here not understanding but silent.
Later they argue among themselves about who is greatest. Their status in the Christian
community. At Capernaum, He asked what they had been arguing about. They don't tell Him
but He knows and reproves them.
The first will be last in the eyes of the world and servant of all.
Christ speaks of the reversal in the age to come - that the Church which was now suffering
in the world, will be exalted Jesus showed with His own life the truth of this statement, as
the servant of all and indeed rejected and despised of men He became the first-fruits of
them that slept - being first to be resurrected and glorified by our Heavenly Father - This is
our hope and promise and example.
Jesus applies this principle within the group of disciples also. It can be seen as a threat "If
you are first in the Christian community today, you will in fact turn out to be last in the age
to come." or a promise "If you wish to be great in the age to come, you must be least in this
age."
The idea of servant is personal, a caring for and waiting on another person. With helping a
child we expect no praise or honor - someone powerless - yet it is in helping in this way that
puts us in a relation to Jesus and through Him to God. Just as we are called to lose our lives
for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel, so we are called to serve for Jesus and in so doing - in
receiving the child in Jesus' Name we receive Jesus Himself. Jesus is not concerned with
greatness or honor; instead He allows Himself to fall into the cruel hands of the sinful world.
In saying "him that sent me," Jesus reminds us that He is God's messenger, the servant of
God. That was His life, to perfectly and purely and righteously to serve the holy and just
God, that sinless and spotless He might be the perfect sacrifice for sin. We are called to be
like this Jesus, knowing our imperfections and failings, yet with God's help and forgiveness
through Christ, we do indeed become more Christlike, as we yield to Him.

4. The third time is found in 10:32-45. As in the second passage, the misunderstanding of the
disciples is concerned with the issue of greatness or power. As in the second, the teaching is
concerned with the contrast of the way of power and that of service. It does, however, deal
with the role of suffering, tying discipleship closely to the cross.
They are nearing Jerusalem. Jerusalem is mentioned as their goal. This third prediction is the
most detailed and is to be fulfilled in each detail as recorded in chapters 14-16. No
questions follow and the disciples must have begun to think they understood, yet the
request of James and John shows they are still thinking of themselves and in a worldly way.