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DR. BANKS: Jim Elliot was one of four missionaries that died trying to bring the Gospel to Ecuador. Elliott once said, “He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Dr. King said, “Until a person has found a cause worth dying for, he is not fit to live.” Each of these martyrs experienced what Christ predicted in the Gospel of Mark, chapter 8. Jesus was speaking to his disciples– men who had already given up their trades to follow Jesus. As they walked along, Jesus asked them, “Who do people say I am?” Some say John the Baptist, some say Elijah; some say you are one of the prophets. But who do you say that I am. Peter replied, “You are the Messiah.” Jesus then revealed that He was about to suffer in Jerusalem. He said the elders, leading priests, and teachers of religious law would reject Him. He would be killed, but three days later He would rise from the dead. Peter rebuked him for saying that the Messiah must die. Jesus told Peter, “Get away from me Satan! You are seeing things merely from a human point of view, not from God’s.” Jesus went on to say that not only am I going to suffer, but if any of you wants to be my follower, you must turn from your self-centeredness, take up your cross, and follow me.” In view of words like this from Jesus, it is strange to hear some people say that to follow Christ guarantees the good life of health and wealth.
