Denying yourself and taking up the cross

Matthew  16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.  16:25 For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it.  16:26 For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul? or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?

Jesus Christ, in one of His teaching emphasizes the cost of living for the kingdom of the father, the center point of the message is to deny oneself and take up the cross. 

To deny oneself means more than just resisting personal desires or temporarily refraining from sinful behavior. It is an ongoing, complete surrender of our will to the will of God. When Jesus calls us to deny ourselves, He is asking for a shift in the very center of our lives. No longer do we live for self-fulfillment, personal gain, or even our own sense of security. Instead, we are called to live for Christ, to put His kingdom first, and to place our trust in Him completely.

This denial goes beyond external behavior; it is about the heart. It means we renounce any allegiance to ourselves—our ego, our pride, our selfish ambitions. It is a call to dethrone self from the center of our lives and let Christ reign. As Paul says in Galatians 2:20, "I have been crucified with Christ. It is no longer I who live, but Christ who lives in me." Denying ourselves is dying to our old way of living and embracing the new life found in Christ.

Furthermore, Jesus tells us to "take up your cross." In Jesus' time, the cross was not just a symbol of suffering; it was an instrument of death. It represented the ultimate sacrifice. So when Jesus tells His followers to take up their cross, He is calling them to a life of sacrifice, a willingness to endure suffering for the sake of the gospel.

Taking up the cross means embracing the challenges and difficulties that come with living out our faith in a world that opposes the way of Christ. It’s about saying “yes” to God’s will, even when it’s hard, even when it costs us something. Whether it’s facing rejection, ridicule, or loss, taking up the cross means we’re willing to walk the same path of humility and obedience that Jesus walked.

It also means laying down the things we hold dear—our comfort, our reputation, our dreams, and even our lives, if necessary. Jesus doesn't sugarcoat the cost of following Him. He is calling for complete surrender and total commitment. But this call comes with a promise.

In verse 25, Jesus says, "For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it." At first, this seems like a paradox. How can losing our life lead to finding it?

The world tells us that life is found in self-preservation, in pursuing success, wealth, or happiness on our own terms. But Jesus reveals that true life, abundant life, is found in surrendering to Him. When we let go of our selfish ambitions and entrust our lives fully to Christ, we experience a life of deeper purpose, peace, and joy than the world could ever offer.

In the kingdom of God, losing is gaining. Giving is receiving. Sacrifice leads to blessing. When we lose our lives for the sake of Christ, we gain so much more—a relationship with God, eternal life, and the richness of living in His presence.

Finally, Jesus asks a sobering question in verse 26: "For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul?" It’s a question that strikes at the heart of what we value. So many people chase after the things of this world—wealth, power, success—thinking that these things will bring satisfaction. But Jesus reminds us that no amount of worldly gain can compensate for the loss of one’s soul.

What good is it to achieve everything this world offers, only to be separated from God in the end? Jesus is pointing us to a reality far greater than the temporary rewards of this life. He is inviting us to choose Him, to invest in what is eternal rather than what will fade away.

In conclusion,  let us examine our hearts and ask ourselves: Are we truly denying ourselves? Are we willing to take up our cross daily and follow Jesus, no matter the cost? Let us remember that while the cost is great, the reward is far greater—eternal life with our Lord.

God bless you.

Prayer key:

1. Lord, thank you for the blessing of your word today in Jesus Christ name.

2. Lord, grant me the grace to deny myself and take up my cross in Jesus Christ name.

3. Lord, help me to live my life for your kingdom in Jesus Christ name.

4. Thank you Lord for answered prayers in Jesus Christ name. Amen.