In the next several verses, Jesus describes what it means to be one of his followers — the heart of discipleship. Let’s look at them once again: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself? For whoever is ashamed of me and of my words, of him will the Son of Man be ashamed when he comes in his glory and the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. But I tell you truly, there are some standing here who will not taste death until they see the kingdom of God.”

We all are in sin and deserve eternal separation from God. But Jesus willingly suffered and died in our place as payment for our sins, a once-and-for-all sacrifice. He wipes our slate clean; we owe nothing. All we have to do is accept Jesus’ free gift. But incredibly, many do not and will not accept this gift — they push it away.