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Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me. Matthew 16:24 NKJV

The Romans, Mark's original audience, knew what taking up the cross meant. Death on the cross was a form of execution used by Rome for dangerous criminals. A prisoner carried their cross to the place of their execution, signifying submission to Rome's power.

However, Jesus used carrying a cross to illustrate the ultimate submission required to his followers. He is not against pleasure, nor is he saying that we should seek pain...

¹⁹ Do you not know that your bodies are temples of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; ²⁰ you were bought at a price. Therefore, honor God with your bodies. 1 Corinthians 6:19-20 

What did Paul mean when he said that our bodies belong to God? Many people say they have the right to do whatever they want with their bodies because they feel that it's theirs! And some of that is true when it comes to other people, but not with God, Jesus or the Holy Spirit. Although we think this is freedom,...