Reflection
Starting in the verse 23, Jesus is talking about discipleship to a crowd. He starts directing His message to those who wanted to follow Him, explaining what is it all about. Three important points here: deny myself, take up my cross daily and follow Jesus.
Deny myself, as I understand, means deny my will, my own interests, deny who I am (or who I was, before knowing Jesus), denying my old nature. The cross He asks us to take is to accept suffering and persecution when it comes. Not something we do once, but something constant, accept and receive the price of following Him. Finally, we would be able to follow Him, when we’re not seeking our interests and desires, when we understand our purpose isn’t glory and good, but glorify Him, and honor His name forever!
Application
Let’s do it today. Let’s remember who we are, our desires and dreams. Let’s deliver them all to God, and seek His will in the first place. Let’s accept we can be rejected or offended anytime, but it is all worthy it. Let’s ask God for help to deny ourselves, to abide on Him and depend on His providence. May God bless you all!