If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself.
Jesus' job description for following him is more demanding than it sounds.
The episode in a glance.
- 01'Deny himself' means saying no to your own agenda.
- 02'Take up his cross' means accepting the cost of loyalty.
- 03'Follow me' is the continuous action — present tense, ongoing.
- 04This isn't a one-time decision; it's a daily posture.
Read along.
Luke 9:23 — 'If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.' This is Jesus' most comprehensive description of what it means to be his disciple.
'Deny himself' — not self-denial as in 'skip dessert.' This is saying no to your own self-rule. Your own agenda. Your own claim to be the center of your life.
'Take up his cross' — in Jesus' day, the cross was a symbol of death. Not a piece of jewelry. Carrying your cross meant you were walking toward execution. Jesus is saying: be willing to die to yourself.
And then 'follow me.' Present tense. Continuous. Daily. Not a one-time prayer. An ongoing walk. That's what following Jesus actually means.