“Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’” — Matthew 16:24

I spoke this past Sunday on Jesus’ words to Peter in John 21, where Jesus told Peter, “You follow me.” With today’s text, we have yet another call to surrender.

Following Jesus is often described as a journey, but it begins with a heartfelt surrender of ourselves. In our passage, I notice three important requirements for anyone who truly wants to be a disciple:

Deny Yourself: We’re not talking about giving up a bad habit, (though that’s actually a good idea for us to consider), but rather about taking back personal control over our lives. In essence, it means choosing to prioritize Jesus’ interests and His will over our own natural tendencies and desires.

Take Up Your Cross: This is the individuals calling. In the Roman world, the cross was a symbol of death. When Jesus talked about to “take up your cross,” he was inviting us to make a daily choice to let go of our pride and self-will. It means being willing to face suffering or rejection from the world, trusting in God's greater plan.
Follow Him: Following Jesus means modeling our lives after Him by embracing His love, obedience, and dedication to serving others. It's about walking in His footsteps every day.
When we choose to follow Jesus, it’s more than just a one-time decision or ticking off a list of rules. It’s a daily journey to put Him first in everything we do. While this calling might feel overwhelming at times, Jesus doesn’t leave us to navigate it alone. That’s why He sent the Holy Spirit to empower and guide us, helping us become more like Him as we stay close to Him.

Here are a few suggestions:

Surrender each Morning: Begin your day by openly entrusting your plans to Him. It's a gentle reminder to start the day with intention and trust, making your journey feel more supported and peaceful.

Listen for His Voice: Take some time to immerse yourself in the Word, so you'll feel more connected to the Good Shepherd’s voice and easily recognize it among all the busy noise of the world.

Serve Someone Else: Choose one other-focused decision today, whether it's helping a neighbor, a coworker, a stranger, or simply offering a kind word to someone in need. Small acts of kindness can make a big difference for others and brighten your day too!

Heavenly Father, I thank You for calling me to follow Your Son. Please help me every day to let go of my own plans and happily take up my cross. Fill me with the strength of Your Holy Spirit to walk in Jesus’ footsteps, showing His love and truth to everyone around me. In Jesus’ Name, Amen.

Seeking to Wave the White Flag Daily,

Gene 
Because Life Begins at Calvary (Romans 6:23)