Take Up Your Cross, Deny Yourselves, And Follow Jesus

In the New Testament era, a man condemned to be crucified was forced to carry his cross to the place of his own execution. This was an arduous and humiliating task. Yet five verses in the Bible record Jesus saying that His followers must take up their crosses and follow Him. In fact, anyone who does not He considers unworthy of Him.

"'And anyone who does not take his cross

and follow Me

is not worthy of Me.'"

Matthew 10:38 (NIV)

In three of five verses, Jesus also says that His followers must deny themselves. In other words, if Jesus is to be their Master, then they are to be His servants, and to be His servants, they have to let go of their own wills and submit their hearts, souls, and minds to God's will.

Then Jesus said to His disciples,

'If anyone would come after Me,

he must deny himself

and take up his cross

and follow Me.'"

Matthew 16:24 (NIV)

"Then He called the crowd to Him

along with His disciples and said:

'If anyone would come after me,

he must deny himself

and take up his cross

and follow me.'"

Mark 8:34 (NIV)

In this fourth verse, Jesus says that His followers must do this daily. Serving God is a full-time decision. Following Him should be the desire of a heart with every beat it makes.

"Then He said to them all:

'If anyone would come after Me,

he must deny himself

and take up his cross daily

and follow Me.'"

Luke 9:23 (NIV)

Lastly, Jesus states that anyone who refuses to carry his/her cross and follow Him cannot be His disciple.

"'And anyone who does not carry his cross

and follow Me 

cannot be My disciple.'"

Luke 14:27 (NIV)

Are you rejected because you say "no" to things or desires that you know displease God? Are you unpopular, viewed negatively, or mocked because you stand up for what is right in God's eyes? Do you feel like a foreigner in this world, even in today's modern churches? Then don't be discouraged, because you are fulfilling the requirements of being a disciple of Jesus.