No Crown Without a Cross: The True Cost of Following Jesus

Summary

Using Jesus’ teaching in the Gospel of Mark 8–9, this article explains that true discipleship requires suffering before glory. Knowing about Jesus is not the same as knowing Him. Following Christ means denying self, aligning values with His, and embracing the cross. Abundant life includes sacrifice, yet leads to transformation and future glory. There is no crown without a cross, but it costs far more not to follow Jesus.

Glory Comes Through Sacrifice

Olympians trade thousands of hours for the hope of a few minutes of glory on the medals platform. Jesus’ cross preceded His crown.

Who Is Jesus, Really?

What did it mean for Jesus to be the Messiah? How do you identify with Him? He asked His disciples, “Who do people say I am?” (Mark 8:27 NIV). All guesses were wrong.

Then He asked, “Who do you say I am?” (Mark 8:29 NIV). Peter, the fastest mouth in the group, replied, “You are the Messiah.” (Mark 8:29 NIV).

From Confession to Correction

Long-time church attendees can substitute knowing about Christianity for knowing Jesus. Many are inoculated with a mild case of Christianity.

They have never experienced the real thing. Their “faith” in Jesus lacks commitment that changes their character and conduct.

The Cross Before the Crown

Only after Peter’s confession did Jesus describe the road of suffering He would travel because He was the Messiah. Peter attempted to set Jesus straight. He insisted suffering was not fitting for the Messiah.

In an eyeblink, he became Satan’s spokesman. Jesus refused the easier road. He submitted to God’s plan that the cross must precede the crown.

Suffering was not only Jesus’ destiny. It is also the destiny of His followers.

The True Cost of Following Jesus

The true cost of following Jesus is dying to your selfish desires. Note in Mark 8:35 that whoever tries to save his life will lose it.

Your values and priorities must align with Jesus. How you spend your time and money reveals whether you are denying yourself or pursuing some earthly goal.

By grasping selfishly to life, you forfeit the abundant life Jesus gives in its place. Abundant life includes suffering.

Following Jesus is the greatest value of the ages (Mark 8:36-37). All the world’s treasures cannot purchase freedom for even one soul.

There is no crown without a cross (Mark 8:38). Being ashamed of Jesus’ words is the same as saving your life.

Your loyalty or disloyalty to Jesus now determines your destiny. That is not salvation by works.

It is salvation through a vital faith that works, as contrasted with a head-knowledge “faith” that does not. For you as for Jesus, the cross precedes the crown.

Glory Revealed Through Transformation

Jesus’ glory reveals your destiny. Mark 9:2-13 describes the transfiguration.

To transfigure is to change from one form into another. The same word is used in Romans 12:2 and 2 Corinthians 3:18 to describe your transformation into the likeness of Christ.

Jesus’ glory at the transfiguration previews every Christian’s destiny. “And we all, who with unveiled faces contemplate the Lord’s glory, are being transformed into his image with ever-increasing glory, which comes from the Lord, who is the Spirit” (2 Corinthians 3:18 NIV).

The result is described in 1 John 3:2 NIV, “Dear friends, now we are children of God, and what we will be has not yet been made known. But we know that when Christ appears, we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is.”

There is no crown without a cross or glory without suffering. It costs something to be Jesus’ disciple. It costs far more not to be.  

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