One of the verses of scripture that I keep at the forefront of my thoughts

is Luke 9:23.

Then Jesus said to them all: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny
himself and take up his cross daily and follow me”.

In an age where we are often given the gospel of prosperity and assured of
our salvation by reciting a simple prayer it is unpopular to mention the
prerequisites of following Jesus. Unpopular as it may be, it was Jesus
himself who made the demands, and I would think if anyone would know what
was expected, it would be Him.
I would like to make a couple of observations about the scripture. The
statement which is both inclusive and exclusive allows for choice, it does not
force anyone to become a follower yet it beacons everyone. It is spoken to
“them all” and “anyone who come after” in other words no one is excluded
who desires to follow Jesus. However, the conditional term by which all the
prerequisites hinge is the simple but profound word “If”. There is choice in
that word “if”, and also an exclusionary provision that forgoes all the
demands placed on those who would desire to follow.
Let’s assume for the moment you make the choice to follow Jesus. The
requirements are far tougher than the average Christian would dare
consider and pardon me for saying so, but this life is not something you
would find advertised in your local church. No promises of financial gain, or
of a life without trial and tribulation, instead quite the opposite.
Self-denial is on the agenda of musts for those who would follow Jesus. I
would venture to say most of us as Americans couldn’t begin to understand
what is being conveyed in the terminology Jesus uses.
What is self-denial? The question is more complex than it first appears
because for some it is self-denial to turn off the television an hour a day, or
to skip a weekend of golf, or a week of Starbucks. We consider it self-denial
to fast from certain foods or things for a season and rationalize this is what
Jesus means. The reality however, is that Jesus is calling His followers to a
lifestyle of self-denial not an occasion. The word “daily” is indicative of His
expectations; it’s not a one time thing but a continuous mandate on the part
of His followers. Self-denial is not giving up something that will in the end
benefit you by giving it up; for instance if I fast for a season and benefit in
the way of better health and weight loss am I really denying myself? It has
costs me nothing and I have been the beneficiary, yeah though I may have
done so with the purpose of honoring God there has been no real self-denial.
If I give the clothes away that do not fit me anymore, or those that are
worn-out and I don’t wear anyway is it really self-denial? No, self-denial
costs me personally.
King David understood the practice of self-denial. In 2Samuel 24:18-25
David is offered the threshing floor of Araunah at no charge, but he refuses
the kind offer because he understands that God demands a sacrifice and a
sacrifice that costs nothing is no sacrifice at all. Oh, if only we who are in
Christ would grasp this understanding then we would seriously honor our
Lord by giving without expecting a payoff. We would in fact live selfless lives
that exemplify Jesus’ love to others.
One other thing dealing with the complexity of social economic status and
self-denial, we might question since Jesus is speaking to anyone who would
follow him, are there those who are in dire straits excluded from this
prerequisite? No, to our dismay even he who is in prison, impoverished,
orphaned, of a different race, of a different sex, or in a host of other
circumstances there is no exemption – self-denial is mandatory for anyone
who would follow Christ. Which really gives cause to what self-denial might
entail. Consider for instance a prisoner who has chosen to follow Jesus. Self-
denial for that prisoner who has less freedom, fewer possessions, and fewer
opportunities to share is just as important in the process of discipleship as
say someone with more, because entrusting yourself to Jesus is the goal of
these demands.
Lastly let me say of taking up your cross daily, that I have heard a great
many people refer to this as being prepared to die each day. I would say that
is only partially correct as this cross we carry is but a constant reminder
that we have died. Our old self was nailed to that cross the day we accepted
Jesus as our Lord, now we are dead to sin. This cross I bear is but a
reminder of the price my Savior paid to bring me into His glory. It is good
for me to come to the cross each new day and recognize the price paid. My
focus each morning needs to be realigned to prioritizing Jesus, to
exemplifying His love to those who otherwise would tragically depart without
knowing Him.
There is no candy coating the demands of Jesus and following Him is costly.
Yes, I know you can point out just as many scriptures that give promises to
those who would come to Christ. I do not deny there are vast rewards in
Christ, both in this life and the life to come, but too often we have claimed
to be followers of Jesus without ever experiencing what He said we must do.