Deny Yourself and Take Up Your Cross
Introduction
In many modern contexts, Christian discipleship is often presented superficially—as a path to immediate comfort or a supplement to a self-centered life. However, the authentic teaching of Jesus regarding following Him is far more radical. It involves total surrender, unwavering commitment, and profound transformation.
In Luke 9:23 (and similar passages in Matthew 16:24 and Mark 8:34), Jesus lays out the three non-negotiable requirements of true discipleship:
1. Deny yourself
2. Take up your cross
3. Follow Him
The repetition of this teaching throughout the Gospels underscores a vital truth: Following Jesus has a cost. It is not a casual stroll; it is a redirected life.
1. Deny Yourself
Luke 9:23 — "If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself..."
1.1 The Meaning of Self-Denial
To deny oneself is not simply to give up "things" or to practice occasional self-restraint. In the biblical sense, it means to renounce control over one's own life. It is a shift in sovereignty. It is a daily declaration echoed by the Apostle Paul: "I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me" (Galatians 2:20).
• Submission: It is placing your will under God’s will.
• Humility: It is abandoning the throne of pride and self-sufficiency.
• Priority: It is making Christ the supreme treasure above all personal ambitions.
1.2 Renouncing the Old Nature
Discipleship requires a decisive rejection of the "Old Man"—the sinful nature. The Bible describes this process as "crucifying the flesh" with its passions and desires (Galatians 5:24).
• It means saying "No" to sinful impulses.
• It means walking away from worldly patterns that grieve the Spirit.
• It means choosing to live according to the Spirit rather than the dictates of the ego.
1.3 Placing Christ Above All
Jesus taught that our love for Him must be so great that all other loves seem like "hate" by comparison (Luke 14:26). This isn't a call to literal hatred of family, but a call to absolute allegiance.
Paul expressed this beautifully: "What is more, I consider everything a loss because of the surpassing worth of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord" (Philippians 3:7-8). To deny yourself is to declare that Christ is not just in your life; He is your life.
2. Take Up Your Cross
Luke 9:23 — "...and take up his cross daily..."
2.1 The Context of the Cross
To the modern ear, "carrying a cross" might sound like a metaphor for a difficult job or a nagging illness. But to Jesus’ listeners, the cross was a terrifying reality. It was the instrument of execution. To see a man carrying a cross was to see a man who was already dead to the world. He was walking to his end.
2.2 Suffering for the Sake of Christ
Taking up the cross means a willingness to endure the consequences of identifying with Jesus.
• Persecution: Being willing to be mocked or marginalized for your faith.
• Rejection: Facing the coldness of the world because you no longer belong to it.
• Fidelity: Remaining faithful even when the path is steeped in difficulty.
Like Paul, who could say at the end of his life, "I have fought the good fight" (2 Timothy 4:7), the cross-bearer prioritizes faithfulness over comfort.
2.3 The Daily Decision
Luke’s Gospel adds a crucial word: "Daily." Discipleship is not a one-time emotional decision at an altar call. It is a repeated choice made every morning.
• Today, I will choose Christ’s way over my own.
• Today, I will accept the shame of the world for the glory of the Kingdom.
3. Follow Me
Luke 9:23 — "...and follow me."
3.1 Imitating Christ
Following is more than walking behind someone; it is becoming like them. We are called to walk in the very footsteps of Jesus. "To this you were called, because Christ suffered for you, leaving you an example, that you should follow in his steps" (1 Peter 2:21).
3.2 The Requirement of Obedience
We cannot follow Jesus if we do not obey Him. Friendship with God is inextricably linked to our response to His commands. Jesus said, "You are my friends if you do what I command" (John 15:14). A true disciple does not just study the Word; they practice the Word.
3.3 The Paradox of Life
Jesus presents a spiritual paradox that defies human logic: "For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it" (Luke 9:24).
• When we try to "save" our lives by hoarding control, we lose our eternal purpose.
• When we "lose" our lives by surrendering them to Him, we finally find out what it means to truly be alive.
4. The Power to Live the Call
Humanly speaking, these three demands are impossible. Our nature craves self-exaltation, comfort, and our own way. We cannot deny ourselves by the strength of our own will.
• The New Birth: This life is only possible through the New Birth (John 3:3). We need a new heart with new desires.
• The Holy Spirit: The Spirit of God is the one who transforms our desires, produces the "Fruit of the Spirit," and provides the supernatural power to live in holiness.
Discipleship is a journey fueled by Grace. We don't carry the cross to be loved; we carry it because we are loved.
Denying Yourself: The Heart of True Discipleship (Part 2)
A. The Mandate of Self-Denial To be a true Christian is not merely to add Jesus to our lives; it is to deny ourselves. This text exhorts us that self-denial is the gateway to authentic faith.
B. Removing the Obstacles Following Christ means leaving behind everything that hinders our obedience. Even our own lives, desires, and comforts must not become obstacles to following the Lord.
C. The Cost of Blessing Many people desire the blessings of Christ—His peace, His heaven, and His provision—but they are unwilling to abandon their sins, their vices, or their own stubborn wills.
D. A Legacy of Surrender The Bible presents us with a cloud of witnesses who denied themselves to serve God. If we truly want to serve the Lord, we must learn the discipline of self-denial from their examples.
I. Biblical Examples of Self-Denial
The Scriptures provide a "hall of fame" of men and women who renounced their own interests to obey God’s call.
1. Christ: The Supreme Example
The greatest example of denying oneself is Jesus Christ. Philippians 2:5-9 describes His "Kenosis" or emptying:
• He did not cling to His divine glory.
• He stripped Himself of His heavenly majesty.
• He humbled Himself by taking the form of a servant.
• He remained obedient even unto the point of death on a cross.
Jesus sacrificed His celestial glory, His comfort, and His honor to fulfill the Father’s will and save humanity. Because of this radical self-denial, God has exalted Him to the highest place.
2. Abraham
When God called Abraham, he was asked to leave everything familiar:
• His homeland.
• His extended family.
• His financial security. (Genesis 12:1-4). He lived as a stranger in a foreign land, anchoring his life not in his current comfort but in God’s future promise (Hebrews 11:9).
3. Moses
Moses had the world at his feet in the palaces of Egypt. Yet, according to Hebrews 11:24-26, he:
• Refused to be called the son of Pharaoh’s daughter.
• Renounced the temporary pleasures of sin.
• Chose to suffer with the people of God rather than enjoy the treasures of Egypt. He traded a temporary kingdom for an eternal reward.
4. The Galilean Fishermen
When Christ called Peter, Andrew, James, and John, they didn't ask for a business plan. They immediately left their nets, their boats, and their family businesses to follow a Man who had no place to lay His head (Mark 1:18-20; Luke 5:10-11).
Application: These examples teach us that serving God demands sacrifice. We must imitate their faith by choosing God's mission over our own security.
II. Why is it Necessary to Deny Oneself?
1. It is the Condition for Following Christ
Jesus was clear: Discipleship has a price tag.
"Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me." (Matthew 10:38)
He presents us with a sobering calculation: What good is it to gain the whole world—its fame, its money, its pleasure—only to lose your eternal soul? (Matthew 16:26). Self-denial is the "narrow gate" through which every true disciple must pass.
2. The Conflict Between Flesh and Spirit
There is a war raging inside every believer. Our "flesh" (our fallen nature) and the Holy Spirit are in constant opposition (Romans 8:1-2; Galatians 5:16-17).
• The Flesh: Produces sin, spiritual death, and separation from God.
• The Spirit: Produces a harvest of love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, and self-control (Galatians 5:22-23).
We must deny the flesh daily; otherwise, the "weeds" of our sinful nature will choke out the "fruit" of the Spirit.
3. Christ Must Occupy the First Place
In Luke 14:26-27, Jesus uses hyperbolic language to emphasize priority. Our love for Him must be so absolute that our love for father, mother, spouse, and children looks like "hatred" by comparison. Furthermore, He states that we must be willing to renounce all our possessions (v. 33).
This doesn't mean we stop loving our families, but it means Christ is the absolute priority. Nothing—no relationship, no career, and no dream—can sit on the throne that belongs to Him.
The Cost and the Crown: Concluding the Call to Discipleship
Immediate and General Context
Before Jesus issued this radical call to discipleship, He revealed a staggering truth to His inner circle: the Son of Man must suffer, die, and be raised (Luke 9:21-22).
Therefore, when Jesus speaks of discipleship in Luke 9:23, He is not inviting us to a life of earthly comfort or "prosperity gospel" ease. He is inviting us to a life of total surrender, sacrifice, and unwavering fidelity. If the Master was headed for a cross, His followers could expect nothing less.
Characteristics of the Call:
• Universal: "He said to the crowd" — This wasn't a secret code for the twelve apostles; it is an open invitation for everyone.
• Voluntary: "If anyone desires" — God is a gentleman; He invites, but He never coerces.
• Consequential: Jesus warns that the stakes are eternal. To try and "save" your life on your own terms is the surest way to lose it (Luke 9:24).
The Conditions of the Journey
1. The Will to Follow
"If anyone desires to come after Me..." Discipleship begins with a personal decision. The Gospel is an invitation that carries heavy responsibility. Following Christ means more than just a change in opinion; it is a change in direction and a total submission to the Lordship of Christ.
2. The Disposition to Die
"Let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me."
A. Deny Yourself
This is the renunciation of the "Ego." It is the abandonment of pride and the submission of your own will to God's. It isn't just giving up a habit; it is handing over the keys to your life. The believer stops asking, "What do I want?" and starts asking, "Lord, what do You want me to do?"
B. Take Up the Cross
In the Roman world, the cross was a symbol of shame and execution. A man carrying a cross was a man who had no future of his own; he was walking toward his death.
• Clarification: Your "cross" is not your illness, your difficult boss, or your family problems. Those are the common burdens of humanity.
• Biblical Meaning: The cross is specifically the suffering and rejection we endure for the sake of Christ (Matthew 5:11).
C. Daily
Luke adds the word "Daily." Discipleship is not a one-time mountain-top experience. It is a persistent, daily decision to keep your will on the altar and your eyes on the Savior.
The Eternal Paradox: Loss is Gain
Luke 9:23-25
Jesus presents a spiritual paradox that contradicts the wisdom of the world:
• The World says: "Look out for number one; live for yourself."
• Christ says: "Give your life away for My sake, and you will finally find it."
The Illusion of "Winning" the World
Jesus asks the ultimate question of spiritual accounting: "What does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses his own soul?" You can have the fame, the riches, and the success, but if the end result is eternal bankruptcy, the "win" was actually a catastrophic loss.
The Narrow Path and the Great Hope
Jesus never promised the path would be wide or easy; in fact, He said it was narrow (Matthew 7:14). He promised that in this world we would have tribulation. However, He anchored that reality in a greater promise: "Be of good cheer, I have overcome the world" (John 16:33).
Practical Application
To follow Christ today means:
• In your Self: Renouncing sin and your right to yourself.
• In your Standing: Being faithful to Christ even when the world opposes you.
• In your Step: Persevering in the faith with the courage to confess His name.
The path is steep, and the cross is heavy, but the One who calls you is the One who carries you.
See Also
Conclusion
Denying yourself is not about "self-hatred"; it is about "God-centeredness." It is the process of emptying your hands of the "sand" of this world so that God can fill them with the "gold" of His kingdom.
• Like Christ, will you humble yourself?
• Like Abraham, will you trust God with your future?
• Like Moses, will you choose the eternal over the temporary?
The call remains the same: “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself...”
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