Mark 8:34-38

Mark 8:34-38. When he had called the people unto him To hear a truth of the last importance, and one that equally concerned them all; whosoever will come after me And be a disciple of mine, entitled to all the privileges and blessings which belong to my disciples in this world and the next; let him deny himself His own will, in all things, great and small, however pleasing, and that continually; and take up his cross Embrace the will of God, however painful, daily, hourly, continually. Thus only can he follow me in holiness to glory. See on Matthew 16:24-26. Whosoever shall be ashamed of me Poor, despised, and a man of sorrows though I am; and of my words That is, of avowing by word and action whatever I have said, particularly this my precept of self-denial, and taking up the daily cross: and whosoever is not heartily willing to sustain the scoffs of a wicked world, to which the profession and practice of my religion may expose him; of him also shall the Son of man be ashamed, &c. He shall be ashamed to acknowledge one for his disciple who has acted in a manner so unlike his Master, and so unworthy of his religion. See on Matthew 10:32-33.