Take Up Your Cross
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Luke 9:23
Then he said to them all, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily, and follow me.
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Jesus is speaking to his disciples and He says to them whoever wants to be a follower of Him must deny themselves and take up their cross daily to follow him. What is your cross? What do you have to sacrifice in order to follow Jesus better? That’s what He asks. He could be asking you to give up a habit or a relationship, and sometimes staying in these things could be easier.
Following Jesus wholeheartedly isn’t easy. It requires sacrifice. But Jesus gives a promise at the end that whatever you give up or sacrifice in the name of Jesus, he will have life. Jesus says pursuing the world or your own desires will only cause you to stray farther away from Him and separate yourself from eternal life with Him. However, you will save your life when you live to know Him and to follow Him.
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What did you learn about God?
What did you learn about mankind?
What will you do differently today as a result of these verses?
