Deny, Deny, Deny - Mark 7-8

At the end of chapter eight of this section we read the words of Christ in regard to taking up a cross to follow Jesus. The pre-qualification of taking up Christ's cross is to deny oneself. That is the hitch in the entire process. Many people can get excited about taking up the cross of Christ (whatever that means). Following Christ and being willing to let Him die for us is a step we all can embrace. But, this concept of denying oneself of something is like climbing a mountain with a dinner fork. I am in the middle of a weight loss program. It is one of many weight loss programs over the coarse of my life. The concept in weight loss (for a man who's number one sin is gluttony) is to learn to deny his appetite or confuse his appetite desire with something better. I have to disguise asparagus to look and taste like ice cream. My appetite wants ice cream and chocolate. I have to deny myself that and offer it carrots and lettuce. We understand the concept of deny, deny. We just can't do it. What Christ is saying in these words is that coming to Christ is realizing we have no ability to follow Him. Denying self is to admit that only through Christ power can I live for Him. We tend to think that these words are like my diet program. But there not. To deny oneself for Christ is to realize there is nothing I have to offer - I have no strength to follow and need Him to lift me up (yoke me to Him) and carry me along. Deny yourself today. You will be allowing Him to do the work.