Week 2: The Cost of Discipleship Theme: Following Jesus when it costs something — yet finding that what we gain far outweighs what we lose. --- Day 8 – When Following Hurts 📖 “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 Peter had just confessed Jesus as the Christ — and moments later tried to stop Him from going to the cross. He wanted the glory of the kingdom… but not the pain of the path. How often are we the same? We want resurrection without crucifixion. Growth without pruning. Glory without grit. Following Jesus hurts sometimes — not because He wants to wound us, but because He’s cutting away everything that can’t live in the Kingdom. 🪞 Reflection What has following Jesus cost me — and what has it taught me? 🙏 Prayer Jesus, when the road hurts, remind me You walked it first. Give me grace to follow, not just when it feels good, but when it costs me something. Amen.