Matthew 16.24-26
“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul?’”
In stark contrast to popular culture’s emphasis on unrestricted self-expression, Jesus makes a radical declaration as well as a personal invitation. He calls us to deny ourselves, and then invites us to take up our cross and follow him.
What does this mean?
First, it means that following Jesus requires that we give up the right to live by our own rules. The Lord—not our personal preference—sets the standards and principles by which we must live.
“All who love me will do what I say. My Father will love them, and we will come and make our home with each of them. Anyone who doesn’t love me will not obey me. And remember, my words are not my own. What I am telling you is from the Father who sent me.” (John 14.23-24)
Second, it means that we give up the right to put self first.
“Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others. Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus.” (Philippians 2.3-5)
Third, it means that we give up the right to hold a grudge.
“Put on then, as God’s chosen ones, holy and beloved, compassionate hearts, kindness, humility, meekness, and patience, bearing with one another and, if one has a complaint against another, forgiving each other; as the Lord has forgiven you, so you also must forgive.” (Colossians 3:12-13)
Fourth, it means that we give up the right to complain.
“Do all things without grumbling or complaining.” (Philippians 2.14)
“Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5.16-18)
Fifth, it means we give up the right to express our sexuality or indulge our sexual impulses without restriction.
“Flee from sexual immorality. Every other sin a person commits is outside the body, but the sexually immoral person sins against his own body. Or do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit within you, whom you have from God? You are not your own, for you were bought with a price. So glorify God in your body.” (1 Corinthians 6.18-20)
Sixth, it means that we commit to a life of truth and love.
“You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind. This is the great and first commandment. And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself. On these two commandments depend all the Law and the Prophets.” (Matthew 22.37-40)
“Rather, speaking the truth in love, we are to grow up in every way into him who is the head, into Christ.” (Ephesians 4.15)
Finally, it means that we say no to the passions and preferences of the old self, and we say yes to the principles and standards of the new self as designed by God.
“Beloved, I urge you as sojourners and exiles to abstain from the passions of the flesh, which wage war against your soul.” (1 Peter 2.11)
“Put off your old self, which belongs to your former manner of life and is corrupt through deceitful desires, and be renewed in the spirit of your minds. Put on the new self, created after the likeness of God in true righteousness and holiness.” (Ephesians 4.22-24)
Jesus’ call to self-denial and his invitation to follow him is in direct opposition to the popular zeitgeist of our time, which encourages us to indulge the self and its desires. The followers of Jesus must stand firm against the bizarre distortions of our time, and we must demonstrate what life in Christ looks like. We must lovingly and relentlessly speak the truth in love, as well as live and work in a way that reflects the presence of Jesus.
