Matthew 16:24 (NASB 1995)
“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’”
Galatians 2:20 (NASB 1995)
“I have been crucified with Christ; and it is no longer I who live, but Christ lives in me; and the life which I now live in the flesh I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave Himself up for me.”
Devotional
We find a profound call to discipleship in Jesus’ words recorded in Matthew 16:24, which beckons us to examine the very core of our faith. He goes on to say, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.” This is a declaration of commitment—a declaration of the radical transformation that comes with following Jesus.
Denying oneself does not imply self-pity or self-neglect; rather, it is an invitation to give up our self-centered desires, ambitions, and pride. It entails letting go of the notion that life is solely about our personal accomplishments and comfort. It’s a recognition that, in the grand scheme of things, our lives do not belong to us; they belong to Christ.
Taking up our cross, as Jesus instructs, denotes a willingness to bear the burdens, challenges, and even sufferings that may befall us on our spiritual journey. It is a call to embrace the sacrificial aspect of discipleship, knowing that, just as Christ carried His cross to Calvary, we will face trials as well, but they will be opportunities for growth and transformation.
Galatians 2:20 beautifully complements this message, declaring, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” This profound truth underscores the essence of discipleship. It is not about our good or righteous efforts; it is about Christ living within us, guiding our thoughts, actions, and decisions.
When we truly follow Jesus, we become vessels for His love, grace, and purpose in the world. Our priorities shift as we begin to see the world through His eyes. We discover that following His will is more rewarding than any earthly success or personal gain.
These passages remind us that discipleship is more than just a casual affiliation with Christianity. It is a radical self-transformation, a daily surrender to God’s will, and a lifelong commitment to living by faith in Christ. It is a call to unconditional love, unending forgiveness, and selfless service. It is an invitation to a life that goes beyond the temporal and connects us to God’s eternal purpose.
Let us examine our hearts as we consider these teachings and ask ourselves if we are truly willing to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus in every aspect of our lives. This is the path to living a life that reflects our Savior’s profound love and selflessness.
The Cross Caroline Chose
Caroline Hayes was known as a woman who never missed a step. Her life, much like the city skyline she overlooked from her twentieth-floor office, was structured, gleaming, and untouchable. Each morning, her heels clicked across polished marble floors as she moved through a world shaped by power suits, contracts, and numbers. Yet beneath the precision of her days, something stirred—an ache she couldn’t quite name.
It was during one of those perfectly planned mornings that the unexpected found her. Michael, a colleague from the finance team, stopped by her office with a hesitant look. “There’s a shelter downtown,” he began, “on the edge of closing. They’re asking for help. Thought you might know someone.” His voice trailed off, unsure if his words had found a place to land.
Caroline gave a polite nod, her mind already racing through quarterly projections. But that night, the city’s glow didn’t comfort her as it usually did. Alone in her high-rise apartment, the verse came, uninvited but clear: “If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me.” (Matthew 16:24).
Sleep evaded her. Was this the weight she’d been carrying all along? A life filled, yet empty?
The next morning, driven by something she couldn’t rationalize, she visited the shelter. The place was nothing like her world—no polished floors, no accolades. Just worn faces and tired eyes. But in those eyes, Caroline saw something she hadn’t seen in the mirror for years—raw, unfiltered life.
That’s where she met Maria. A small woman with calloused hands and a warmth that softened even the hardest day. Maria had known the streets, once lost, now found in the simple calling of service. She offered Caroline no judgment, only stories—stories of hunger, survival, grace.
“You don’t have to be one of us to help,” Maria said gently, her eyes searching Caroline’s.
But Caroline felt it now. She was one of them—one of the restless souls searching for meaning beyond success.
In that moment, something broke loose. Caroline pledged not only her resources but her heart. The shelter would stay open, but more than that, she would stay open—to people, to purpose, to the path Christ had laid before her.
No longer chained to ambition alone, she found freedom in surrender. The cross she once feared became her joy—not in grand gestures, but in daily acts of love. And in lifting others, she found her own soul lifted, light and unburdened.
Reflection
Caroline’s journey is one of quiet surrender—the kind that reshapes a life not in an instant, but in faithful, unseen choices. The cross she bore wasn’t one of public suffering but private yielding—a giving up of control for a greater call. True discipleship is not measured in grand gestures but in daily deaths to self and in the life of Christ rising within. When we take up our cross, we find not loss, but the deepest gain: to live no longer for ourselves, but for Him who loves us.
Key Takeaway
Discipleship demands more than belief—it requires surrender. Denying oneself is not self-neglect, but self-giving. To take up the cross is to lay down pride, comfort, and control, and to let Christ lead us into a life marked by love, sacrifice, and eternal purpose.
Practical Application
Reflect on your daily choices. Where is Christ calling you to deny yourself? Consider areas where your desires conflict with His will. Choose to serve rather than be served. Let today be a step in carrying your cross—not with burden, but with joy, knowing that His strength sustains and His purpose leads.
Short Prayer
Lord Jesus, help me to lay down my ways and take up Your cross with willing hands. Teach me to walk in surrender, to love selflessly, and to follow You with all my heart. May my life be a reflection of Your grace and truth. Amen.
Closing Thoughts
To follow Christ is to lose oneself in Him—and in doing so, find true life. Let us not shrink back from the cross, for in its shadow we find the light of resurrection. The call is not easy, but it is glorious, and it is there that we become who we are meant to be.
Quote
“In denying ourselves, we make room for Christ. In taking up our cross, we find the joy of living for something greater than ourselves.”
“The cross we carry for Christ is not the end of us, but the beginning of Him in us.”