The Keys to a Successful Mission

Peter represents sometimes well-intending people in our own lives who say you don't have to do the hard thing the gospel requires of you. Peter says, hey, don't go to Jerusalem and get crucified. Let's have the kingdom without the cross. Well Jesus says there is no kingdom without thecross. And by the way, same for you. You have to take up a cross. But I really like this story of this blind man here. If we're going to follow Christ, we have to give up all the worldliness that sometimes gets in the way. That's what it means to take up my cross.