Deny, Take-up, Follow

Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, 

let him deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me.”

Bible Contrasts:

1. Deny self vs live for self

2. Take up your cross vs ignoring the cross

3. Follow Christ vs following the world

Deny:  To disown and renounce self and subjugate all works, interests, and enjoyment. 

Subjugate: The action of sacrificing and denying our own needs, wishes, and beliefs in order to please God, His needs and wishes instead.

Take up your cross:  And He was saying to them all, “If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me.”  Luke 9:23

You can only be crucified once. But Jesus is saying that daily we must make the decision to put to death the deeds and desires of the flesh.

Follow Me:

Jesus’ first words to the disciples when He met them, “Follow Me”

Following Jesus is a moment by moment decision, requiring compassion 

and service.