In this portion of Mark’s Gospel, Jesus announces that the kingdom of God is at hand. He invites all who will repent and believe. But Mark wants us to know that this call to discipleship comes with cost. Persecution is the lot of those who follow Jesus. Are you experiencing pushback from the culture? If not, are you more like the culture than like Jesus? Jesus is still calling people to follow him unreservedly. Have you heeded that summons?