He summoned the crowd with his disciples and said to them, “Whoever wishes to come after me must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake and that of the gospel will save it. 36 What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life? 37 What could one give in exchange for his life? 38 Whoever is ashamed of me and of my words in this faithless and sinful generation, the Son of Man will be ashamed of when he comes in his Father’s glory with the holy angels.”
Jesus delivers a profound teaching on the cost and reward of discipleship. He addresses the crowd and his disciples with a universal message that anyone wishing to follow him must have a profound inward transformation—metanoia, a transformative change of heart and mind. To be a true disciple he must reorient his life, renounce his plans, ambition, and identity, and embrace the identity and mission given by Christ according to his Father’s will. Discipleship is not merely about external adherence to religious practices. It also involves a deep, inward change of heart and priorities allowing one to endure suffering and sacrifice as Jesus did. Crucifixion was the ultimate Roman punishment, and the condemned man carried the crossbeam to the place of crucifixion, symbolizing total submission even to the point of death.
Jesus explained the paradoxical nature of Christian discipleship. Striving to save one’s physical life at all costs, such as avoiding suffering or martyrdom, can lead to losing the eternal life offered by Jesus. Conversely, willingly accepting suffering or martyrdom for the sake of Jesus and the Gospel can lead to eternal life in the heavenly kingdom. Worldly gains and possessions are transient and no earthly treasure can compare to the priceless nature of the soul. Therefore safeguarding one’s eternal life by being faithful to Christ and the Gospel is crucial, as no earthly possession or achievement can redeem one’s soul.
An adulterous and sinful generation is a metaphor for unfaithfulness to God. To be ashamed of Jesus means to reject his teachings. Those who reject or deny Jesus because of social pressure will be denied by Jesus at the final judgment when he returns in glory. One’s actions can have eternal consequences.
Heavenly Father, grant us the courage to deny ourselves, take up our crosses, and follow Christ. Let our desires be subordinate to your will and our wants be centered on the salvation of our souls. May we find true life in losing it for Christ’s sake and the sake of the Gospel. Strengthen us against the temptations of our temporal existence and lead us to eternal life in the heavenly kingdom. This we pray through the same Christ our Lord. Amen!
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Sources:
- Brown, Raymond Edward, et al. The New Jerome Biblical Commentary. Prentice Hall, 1990.
- Chiu, José Enrique Aguilar, et al. The Paulist Biblical Commentary. Paulist Press, 2018.
- Faculty of the University of Navarre. The Navarre Bible: New Testament Expanded Edition. Four Courts / Scepter, 2008.
- Orchard, Bernard, et al. A Catholic Commentary on Holy Scripture. Feb. 1953.
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