“Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, ‘If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.’” (v. 34)

We’re generally on board for the first part.

We’re willing to hear Jesus’ voice, and we’re willing to follow Him, in our own ways. We’ll follow Him to church, to morals, and even to generosity.

We’re on board with the first part.

But the second?

When Jesus says, “Deny yourself,” most of try to skirt it. We count the smaller inconveniences of followership as sufficient. We think “deny yourself” means simply to deny what you might rather do with your Sunday mornings and with those dollars.

But denying our own will for our lives? Denying self-lordship and ego? Denying every other identity, affiliation, or party? Denying material and comfort, laying those things at His feet? Denying any idea of being owed anything, of unforgiveness, or of privilege?

We’re less enthusiastic about that.

Yet it is the fundamental gospel calling, the consistent Jesus-following reality.

Would you follow Him?

Then deny yourself, and choose the cross instead.

— Tyler