Mark 8:27-9:50.  The disciples learn something about Jesus in the events described in this section.  They learn that Jesus is the Christ, and that he is going to come in  glory, so people should listen to him above all others.  But they also learn that before Christ comes in his glory he will be rejected, punished unfairly, and brutally murdered.

Jesus uses these events to teach his disciples that they too must surrender all of their ambitions of greatness and be willing to even surrender their lives in order to enter the future kingdom.  Self-denial is how we follow Christ, because he denied his rightful place to become our savior.

LORD, give us the courage to deny our ambitions of greatness and serve one another as your disciples.  Give us the courage to sacrifice ourselves in order to gain your kingdom.  Forgive us for seeing your kingdom as a way to advance our station and status.  We choose to take up our crosses and follow you on the Via Dolorosa.