Mark 8:34 "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me."

Chapter 8 of Mark gives us insights into how Jesus was training his disciples in various situations.

Jesus feeds the hungry followers (4,000 people). 

This was in the region of the Ten  Cities of Scythopolis (Beisan), Hippos (Susiyeh), Gadara (Umm Qeis), Pella (Fahil), Philadelphia (`Amman), Gerasa (Jerash), Dion (Adun?), Canatha (Qanawat), Damascus and Raphan. (Biblehub Bible map: Decapolis, exerpt.)

You can see why there was such a big crowd that were also hungry for bread and the Word of the Lord Jesus.

Jesus then headed across the sea of Galilee in a boat. (8:10)

This is in the region of Dalmanutha, (Magdala) West side of the Sea of Galilee.

At this point the Pharisees (Jewish Sect) came to challenge Jesus.

Jesus warned them about the Pharisees "leaven" but they could not fathom the meaning. (8:16)

Next, them came to Bethsaida and he healed a blind man. (North of Sea of Galilee)

Then Jesus and his disciples went around the cities of Philippi in Ceasearea, during which trek he questioned his disciples about who he was. (8:29 -30)

He then told them that he must suffer many things and be rejected by the leaders of the Jews. He told them he would be killed and would rise again on the third day.

After a sound protest by Peter, who was severely rebuked by Jesus, who called Peter "Satan" Jesus called the crowd and disciples closer.

Jesus told the disciples and the crowd the obligation to Himself in making a decision to "Follow Jesus".

In a nutshell, Jesus said to those who decide to follow him. "You you must take up your cross, deny yourself, and follow me." (Read verses 34 - 38)

If we view this lesson in a whole, it is clear that to follow Jesus is not simply having a picnic or watching miracles happen, it is a continual journey over the hills and dales of life. You will need to carry your own "cross" as directed by Jesus all the way to the end of your life's journey. For Jesus it was "Death by crucifixion."

For you it can be anything that is difficult but very personal. You must carry the burden as permitted by Jesus to the end of your journey of life, unless he gives you a different burden, but it seems that we will always have to "pick up our cross" to follow Jesus.

When we think of our own individual "burden" "Cross" (heavy and hard to do) we can remind ourselves that Apostle Paul had eye problems, Peter kept making mistakes, Thomas was a doubter.

Recently I saw a message on quora to a person suffering from Bipolar disorder who was thinking of "stopping his/her medication". The advice was to carry the burden of taking medication as it was helping the sufferer to feel well and to cope with life. My friend has a similar disorder and often times we see Christians telling folk to "stop taking their medication" because they are "healed", however, this passage from Jesus tells us to "Do the hard thing" "Pick it up" and follow after him. So, if you have prescribed medication, pick it up, drink it down and get on with your day, following Jesus across the thorny pathways of life along with the picnic days and the days of wine and roses and love. 

Pic from Pixabay.com thanks so much.  (May they be blessed)