基督正在往耶路撒冷途中，衪知道衪将会在那里被钉十架，而彼得也曾劝告衪不要去，结果受到耶稣严厉的责备："撒但，退我后边去吧！"（马可福音 8:31-33）。
耶稣于是招聚了群众和门徒来，衪挑战每一个人应当舍己，"背起他们的十字架"来跟从衪。衪解释说，如果要得到丰盛的生命，我们先要把自己的生命完全交给神；意思是说，我们不单要放下一切我们很想抓紧的东西，我们更要乐意与别人和为别人分享，来表达我们对神的感恩。
我看了一个故事，是关于一个在第一次世界大战中受了重伤以致要截除手臂的法国士兵。手术医生感到忧伤，因为这年青人将会终身残废，他准备亲自把这个消息告诉这士兵，所以他确保在他醒来时他会守在他床边。医生对他说："很抱歉，你已失去了你的手臂。"士兵的回答令人非常惊讶："我并没有失去我的手臂，我已把它奉献给法国了。"
身为军队的牧者，我特别感谢那些在战场上服役的战士。在战争当中，有无数的人失去四肢、他们的神志、甚至自己的性命，很多人甘愿为他们的国家牺牲。作为跟随主的人，让我们回应神的呼召，为基督耶稣和平的福音的缘故把自己献上。
主耶稣，祢牺牲祢的性命，为要救我们脱离罪和死亡。惟愿我们能为祢过着感恩和乐意与人分享的生活。阿们。
马可福音 8:34-38
34于是叫众人和门徒来，对他们说："若有人要跟从我，就当舍己，背起他的十字架来跟从我。
35因为凡要救自己生命 的，必丧掉生命；凡为我和福音丧掉生命的，必救了生命。
36人就是赚得全世界，赔上自己的生命，有什么益处呢？
37人还能拿什么换生命呢？
38凡在这淫乱罪恶的世代，把我和我的道当做可耻的，人子在他父的荣耀里同圣天使降临的时候，也要把那人当做可耻的。"
"What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul?" - Mark 8:36
Christ was on his way to Jerusalem, knowing he would be crucified there. And Peter had rebuked him, earning Jesus’ harsh reprimand: "Get behind me, Satan!" (Mark 8:31-33).
Now Jesus had gathered a crowd along with his disciples, and he challenged everyone to self-denial, to "take up their cross" and follow him. For to have full life, he explained, we need to give our whole life to God. This means not simply letting go of all we’re tempted to hold on to, but also giving cheerfully to others and for others in our gratitude to God.
I read about a French soldier who was so seriously wounded in World War I that his arm had to be amputated. The surgeon was grieved that this young man would have to go through the rest of his life maimed. He wanted to break the news personally, so he made sure to be at the man’s bedside when he awoke. "I’m so sorry," the doctor said, "but you’ve lost your arm." The soldier’s response was startling: "I did not lose my arm, doctor; I gave it for France."
As a military chaplain, I am especially grateful for people who have served in combat duty. In war, countless people have lost limbs, their sanity, and their very lives. Many have willingly sacrificed for their countries. As followers of the Lord, let us answer God’s call to give of ourselves for the cause of the gospel of peace in Christ Jesus.
Lord Jesus, you sacrificed your life to free us from sin and death. May we live grateful lives of giving, for your sake. Amen.
诵读: 骆云秀
片头: 张妙阳
