. And when he had called the people unto him with his disciples also, he said unto them, whosoever will come after me, Let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me. Mark 8:34 In the book of Mark, the audience was the Romans. In Rome death on the cross was a form of execution used on dangerous criminals. The prisoner carried his own cross, to the place of execution. This signified submission to Rome’s power. Jesus used this to illustrate the greatest submission required of his followers. Jesus is talking about the great effort needed to follow him moment to moment, day-to-day. Following Jesus is hard, not…