Matthew 16:24 “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”.
Salvation is one of the most liberating truths of the Christian faith. It is freely given, not earned, not negotiated, and not deserved. Jesus offers new life as a gift of grace to all who believe in Him. There is nothing we can add to it and nothing we can do to secure it by our own effort. Yet, while salvation is free, following Jesus is costly.
This tension can feel uncomfortable. How can something so freely given demand so much in return? Jesus Himself answers this when He invites us not merely to believe in Him, but to follow Him. Following Jesus is not a casual add-on to life; it is a wholehearted surrender of life itself.
When Jesus says, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me,” He is not issuing a threat or setting an impossible standard. He is offering an honest invitation. He tells us upfront that discipleship will cost us something; indeed, it will cost us everything.
FROM BELIEF TO FOLLOWING
Believing in Jesus changes our destiny. Following Jesus changes our direction.
To follow Jesus means more than agreeing with His teachings or admiring His example. It means walking where He walks, learning how He loves, and allowing His life to reshape ours. Discipleship is a journey of transformation, where our values, priorities, and ambitions are slowly re-aligned with His heart.
Jesus never asked for part of us. He never negotiated partial obedience or occasional devotion. He called people to leave nets, tables, reputations, comforts, and plans behind: not because these things were evil, but because they could not remain ultimate. Following Jesus means He becomes the centre, not an accessory.
WHAT DOES IT MEAN TO TAKE UP THE CROSS?
In Jesus’ time, the cross was not a metaphor for inconvenience; it was a symbol of total surrender. To take up one’s cross meant yielding control, reputation, and even one’s sense of security. When Jesus uses this language, He is calling His followers into a life of daily surrender.
Taking up the cross today does not mean seeking suffering or rejecting joy. It means choosing obedience over comfort, faithfulness over convenience, and eternal purpose over temporary gain. It is the willingness to lay down our own plans when they conflict with God’s direction, trusting that His ways lead to life.
Denying ourselves does not mean denying our worth. Instead, it means letting go of the illusion that life works best when we are in charge. It is a daily decision to say, “Not my way, but Yours,” believing that God’s plans are not restrictive but redemptive.
A LIFE RE-CENTRED AROUND GOD’S MISSION
When we follow Jesus, our focus shifts outward. Life is no longer primarily about personal success, comfort, or recognition. It becomes centred on loving God deeply and loving others generously. This re-centring changes how we view relationships, time, resources, and even our struggles.
Some relationships may need to change, not because love diminishes, but because motives do. Following Jesus invites us to examine whether certain connections serve God’s purposes or merely reinforce our own desires. Love remains central, but it becomes shaped by truth, humility, and grace.
The call to follow Jesus also places us within God’s ongoing work in the world. We are invited to participate in restoring hope, extending compassion, and reflecting His character wherever we are planted. Discipleship is never self-focused; it is always missional.
THE TEMPTATION OF THE TEMPORARY
Immediate gratification is one of the greatest competitors to discipleship. Comfort, pleasure, success, and approval often promise fulfilment, yet they rarely deliver lasting satisfaction. They fade quickly, leaving us searching for the next thing to fill the void.
Jesus does not deny that the world offers appealing alternatives. He simply tells the truth about where they lead. No possession, position, or personal achievement can satisfy the deepest longings of the human heart. That fulfilment is found only in a relationship with Him.
Taking up the cross may feel costly in the moment, but it leads to a richness of life that temporary pleasures cannot match. What we surrender to Jesus is never wasted; it is transformed.
AN INVITATION TO HONEST REFLECTION
Following Jesus invites honest self-examination. Are there areas of life we hold tightly, hesitant to release them into His hands? Are there dreams, habits, or relationships that quietly compete with His lordship?
Jesus does not force surrender; He invites it. His call is not harsh, but it is clear. He asks us to trust Him fully, even when the path ahead feels uncertain or difficult. The cross may involve pain, loss, or sacrifice, but it is never the end of the story.
THE CROSS IS TEMPORARY. LIFE WITH JESUS IS ETERNAL.
In surrendering our lives to Him, we do not lose ourselves, but we find our truest identity. The cost of following Jesus is real, but the reward is incomparable: an abundant life now and unending life in His presence. There is nothing in this world worth holding onto if it keeps us from fully following Him.
Amen.
SIX KEY TAKEAWAY POINTS
Salvation is a free gift, but discipleship requires surrender:
Following Jesus involves yielding every part of life to His leadership.
Belief changes our destiny; following changes our direction:
Discipleship reshapes how we live, love, and make decisions daily.
Taking up the cross means choosing God’s will over our own:
It is a daily posture of trust, obedience, and dependence on Him.
True fulfilment cannot be found in temporary pleasures:
Lasting satisfaction is found only in a relationship with Jesus.
Following Jesus re-centres life around God’s mission:
Love for God and love for others become the heartbeat of our lives.
The cost of surrender is real, but the reward is eternal:
What we give up for Jesus is nothing compared to what we gain in Him.
