Matthew 16:24 KJV
[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.
The concept of denying oneself comes with so many sacrifices, one of them is leaving behind our old ways, ones that do not conform with God's divine life of righteousness. Unfortunately, denying ourselves is not an easy rule; it comes with discomfort, pain, and suffering, but it promises something greater if one succeeds in living beyond their old ways.
Jesus said this to his disciples after Peter rebuked the prophecy of his death. He had revealed to the disciples how he was going to suffer and die and rise on the third day, but Peter, who saw that as an evil report, rebuked the saying, trying to reject the suffering he assumed Jesus was calling upon himself. What was supposed to be a show of acceptance only revealed one intention—that only the devil uses the pleasure of this world to deny God's divine purpose. So Jesus rebuked the devil speaking through Peter, acting all sympathetic. It was at this point that Jesus said one who desires to be his disciple must first deny himself, take up his cross, and follow him.
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This means there are burdens to bear when one chooses to follow Jesus. It's not a journey where one puts himself first; rather, he denies his skills, knowledge, wisdom, pleasure, everything, and yields to Jesus' will. After which he carries whatever burden that comes, this could be ridicule from friends, rejection in certain places, suffering from opposition, persecution, etc. The pilgrim journey isn't all merry; there are moments where one is left all alone, betrayed by friends and family.
The details aren't to scare converts, but to prepare one's heart ahead of the storm that awaits. But as long as we deny ourselves, making Christ first in everything, then we are sure of a blessed assurance of the great crown that awaits those who endure to the end. He added by saying, "For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it." (Matthew 16:25 KJV). So after everything, the only place where believers have hope of a reward and salvation is in him, because nothing is lost in him. The Christian race isn't all rosy; Jesus said it himself, so whenever you're ridiculed or persecuted for Christ's sake, know it's part of the cross we bear as we follow Christ.
