Deny yourself, take up your cross, follow me.
Jesus' clearest description of what following him actually costs — and what it gives.
The episode in a glance.
- 01Three commands, in order: deny, take up, follow.
- 02'Deny yourself' = your self is no longer the center.
- 03'Take up your cross' = accept the cost of being his, not endure a hardship.
- 04'Follow me' is the destination — and the company.
Read along.
Jesus told his disciples: 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.' Three commands. In order. None of them optional.
'Deny yourself.' Not deny yourself a dessert. Deny your self — the version of you that demands to be the center of the universe. Step off the throne.
'Take up your cross.' In the first century, you only carried a cross for one reason: you were on your way to die. Jesus is saying: count yourself dead to the old life before you start.
People often misuse this verse to mean 'put up with a hardship' — 'my cross to bear is my difficult coworker.' That's not it. The cross is about death, not annoyance.
'Follow me.' That's the upside. The path is hard, but the company is unmatched. You're walking after Jesus himself, and the road ends where he is.