Luke 9:23-26

Then He said to them all, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me. For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. For what profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed or lost? For whoever is ashamed of Me and My words, of him the Son of Man will be ashamed when He comes in His own glory, and in His Father’s, and of the holy angels.

Luke 9:23-26

Jesus never promised His followers an easy life. In fact, He explicitly warned of the cost of true discipleship. John the Baptist’s martyrdom foreshadowed Jesus’ own sacrificial death and the persecution many of His followers would face.

As we consider the cost of following Christ in our own lives, let’s remember that any earthly sacrifice pales in comparison to the eternal reward of knowing and serving Jesus. So what does it mean for you personally to “take up your cross daily.” Are there comforts or worldly securities you need to release in order to follow Jesus more fully? Lose for Jesus’ sake and gain the Kingdom. That’s a promise.

Pastor Wade O’Neill