The first audience for Mark would have been gentile Christians, likely under Nero. Nero was at fault for the great fire of Rome, and to deflect from his guilt, he blamed, even demonized Christians. He had them killed in the most brutal ways. So as Jesus is talking about the crucified believer inheriting the Kingdom of God, it's an encouragement to these persecuted Christians! It's not shameful to be a believer, as Nero would have people believe; it's the path of Christ that leads to eternal life. If Christians are like "walking trees" (Mark 8:24), then as Jesus's tree was about to take the form of a cross, so will ours.

v35... Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but if you're willing to lose your life, you'll be saved. Sin can be fun; this is why temptation is effective. As Christians, we deny ourselves the fun of sin. 1 Corinthians 6:19: the body is a temple of the Holy Spirit; it's been given to another, to the Lord. Our entire identity belongs in the service of our God.

v36... what does it profit a man to gain the world if he loses his soul? When Satan tempted Jesus, his offer was nothing compared to his kingdom!

v37... no amount of money can buy your way into Heaven. You can't give God anything to save your soul... you can only be received by the Father if you believe in (accept and follow) the Son.

v38... Ashamed of Jesus? He'll be ashamed of you. Mark 7:6... people honor him with their lips, but not their hearts.

- He could be referring to just his current generation...

- He is most likely talking about his final return and ascension, standing at the right hand of the Father as Lord and Judge. So if you distance yourself from the Lord, on Judgment Day, God will distance himself from you.

9v1... Some standing here will not die until they see the Kingdom of God after it's come with power... What could this mean?

- Maybe this is talking about the return of the Lord, though that would contradict Jesus applying it to "some standing here".

- Maybe he's talking about his transfiguration... that's mentioned nearby.

- It's more likely talking about Pentecost. He's asking people to do something they're incapable of doing on their own... but when the Holy Spirit comes, they'll be given the power to do it, and to advance the Kingdom of God!

One closing thought...

J. C. Ryle - Does our Christianity require any sacrifice? If not, be afraid. A religion that costs nothing is worth nothing. We must carry a cross, and if we're not, if the devil is not attacking us, we should worry whether we're truly following Christ! (J. C. Ryle's commentary on Mark 8 can be found here: https://www.gracegems.org/Ryle/mark08.htm)

If you're a believer, you're the most blessed of all creation! You've gained more than the whole world can offer. So we're conformed to the image of the Son, and we're to live according to his way. We must love our enemies, follow the way of the cross, and lay down our lives for him!