Not Occasionally, But Daily!

The Bible is filled with examples of what a follower of Jesus looks like.

The way we live our lives should look different from the rest of the world. There has to be something that draws others to us… ultimately Jesus. Remember His words in the Great Commission:

“Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.”  

- Matthew 28:19-20a

One of the ways we do that is by showing love to others sacrificially. In the Gospels of Matthew and Mark, Jesus tells His followers:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me.”

- Matthew 16:24

The gospel writer Luke says the same thing, only He inserts another word. If you read this verse in Luke, it says:

“Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross DAILY and follow me.”

- Luke 9:23 (emphasis added)

Let’s break it down, okay?

First of all, it helps to understand this verse the way the original audience did.

Let’s look at the word “deny”. To deny in the Greek means “arneomai” - “refuse to follow.”  The next Word is “themselves”. To deny themselves means to “refuse to follow yourself”. Stop being independent! Friends, for us, it still applies today! We need Jesus! Doing life on our own only leads to pain and disappointment.

The next part of the verse says “take up their cross.”

To the original audience, seeing someone carrying a  cross meant that person was on a one-way journey. The cross represented a criminal on the walk to crucifixion. What does it mean for you and me? Dying to myself. Dying to my wants and my desires. Putting the needs of others before my own.

Finally, Jesus says “follow me.”

Follow me, because I want to walk with you. When the burden is heavy, take my yoke because my burden is light (Matthew 11:30).  Life is hard, and if you stop trying to manage it on your own, I’m here ready to lead you and guide you! Isn’t that freeing?

For me, the key takeaway of this verse is that Luke does what Matthew and Mark do not. He says that this isn’t to happen occasionally but DAILY!

Take some time today to ponder this verse. Then honestly answer these questions:

1.   In what areas of my life am I trying to live independently?

2.  Is it working? Do I feel anxious or confused?

3.  How can I “deny myself and take up my cross and follow Jesus?”

Every morning, let my prayer be: “Jesus, use me today. Lead my steps and let my words be yours!”

Pastor Pam

‍