Luke 9:18-29

18One day, Jesus was alone and he was praying. The disciples came to him. Jesus asked them, ‘When the crowds talk about me, who do they say that I am?’

19They replied, ‘Some people say that you are John the Baptist. Other people say that you are Elijah. And some other people say that you are one of God's prophets from long ago. They think that this prophet has become alive again.’

20‘But what do you think?’ Jesus then asked them. ‘Who do you say that I am?’ Peter replied, ‘You are the Messiah. God has sent you.’

21Jesus spoke very strongly to them. He told them that they must not tell anyone about this.

22Then he said, ‘The Son of Man will have to suffer in many ways. The important Jews, the leaders of the priests and the teachers of God's Law will turn against him. People will kill him, but three days later God will cause him to become alive again.’

23Then Jesus said to all the people that were there, ‘A person who wants to be my disciple must not think about himself. He must decide that his own life is not important. Every day he must be like someone who carries his own cross to go and die. Then he may come with me as my disciple.

24Whoever wants to keep his own life safe will lose it. But whoever gives his life to serve me will have true life.

25A person may get everything in the whole world for himself. But if he loses his life, it would not be any good for him. He will have destroyed himself in the end.

26You must not be ashamed of me and of my words. If you are, then the Son of Man will be ashamed of you. One day he will return and everyone will see his power. He will come with God's holy angels and he will have the bright glory of his Father God. He will be ashamed of you on that day, if you are ashamed of him now.’

27Then Jesus said, ‘What I tell you is true. Some people who are standing here will see clearly God begin to rule in his kingdom. They will see that before they die.’

28About eight days after Jesus had said these things, he went up a mountain to pray. He took Peter, John and James with him.

29While Jesus was praying, his face became different to look at. His clothes also became very white. They were shining brightly.