Matthew 16:24 Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
The cross is a powerful instrument that crushes carnality and its deeds called the works of the flesh (Galatians 5:19). In discipleship, cross is never that fanciful golden or silver ornament people wear around their necks, but rather a symbolic, old, and rugged instrument on which we must die daily (1 Corinthians 15:31).
COST OF DISCIPLESHIP
In our opening scripture (Matthew 16:24), Jesus finally threw a bombshell to whoever desires to be a genuine disciple. Such a person, according to Him, must:
- Deny Self :
Denial in this context means separation from the carnal life. Your body parts are still physically present, but they no longer serve the desires of the flesh. Please note that your flesh—not the devil—is your strongest and closest enemy . The Bible makes us understand that “fleshly lusts war against the soul” (1 Peter 2:11). Hence, the major way to overcome the flesh is to act as a stranger to its desires. This is called self-denial. - Take Up Your Cross:
This is not necessarily a visible object but a spiritual instrument through which total surrender to God is achieved. The cross mortifies and silences the deeds of the flesh (Romans 8:13). No one who has been laid and nailed to death on the cross daily is sensitive to sinful activities of the flesh anymore. Therefore, Paul declared: “I die daily” (1 Corinthians 15:31). How did he do that? By engaging in regular fasting (2 Corinthians 11:27) and keeping his body under the control of the Lord, bringing it into subjection to the Spirit (1 Corinthians 9:27).” Believe me, no sinful stimulus or temptation can attract a person like Paul who is already dead to sin. This spiritual death connotes transformation from a carnal state to a glorified one, gaining more of Christ daily.
3 Follow Him (Jesus Christ):
This means yielding to Biblical instructions, walking according to God’s will and in His ways. This is the core and the hallmark of the cost of true discipleship—continued obedience to the Lord’s injunctions, whether they make sense or not. This is the essence of the preaching of the cross, because many divine instructions will contradict the desires of the flesh. Therefore, whoever will genuinely follow the Lord to encounter His awesome power must allow the flesh to die daily upon the cross. Brethren, Spiritual power is never cheap. It always comes with a cost.
WAY TO SPIRITUAL POWER
It is indeed difficult for an unregenerated soul or a carnally minded person to understand the preaching of the cross. Imagine someone who has waited many years for a child, and after finally receiving one in old age, God instructs him to sacrifice that same child. Or think of giving away everything you have without hope of getting anything back. Such instructions appear foolish to the carnal mind.
Paul affirmed this: “For the preaching of the cross is to them that perish foolishness; but unto us which are saved it is the power of God” (1 Corinthians 1:18).
It seems foolish for a leader to stoop down and wash the feet of his disciples, yet Jesus did so (John 13:4–15) because humility is the only way to obtain God’s grace (James 4:6; 1 Peter 5:5). It was equally absurd to think of sacrificing one’s only son, yet Abraham obeyed (Genesis 22:1–18), and Jehovah Jireh not only restored Isaac but also released upon Abraham the power of generational blessings.
Beloved, the closer you walk with God, the more divine power is released into your life to prosper and to fulfill destiny. However, until you overcome the barrier of carnality, your spiritual sensitivity and obedience to God will remain hindered or limited.
CONCLUSION
The preaching of the cross is the pathway to spiritual power, divine wisdom, and true discipleship. It calls for total surrender, daily death to self, and unwavering obedience to Christ. Though it appears foolish to the world, it is the secret place of transformation and empowerment for every believer who truly desires to walk with God. Let the cross be your daily altar of surrender, where the flesh is silenced and the Spirit takes full control.
PRAYER POINTS
- Lord Jesus, grant me the grace to daily deny myself and take up my cross to follow You faithfully (Luke 9:23).
- Father, crucify every work of the flesh in my life and help me to walk in the Spirit (Galatians 5:24–25).
- O Lord, deliver me from every form of pride and self-exaltation that hinders humility before You (James 4:6).
- Heavenly Father, help me to obey Your instructions even when they seem foolish to human understanding (Proverbs 3:5–6).
- Lord, release upon me the power of the cross that conquers sin, overcomes the world, and draws me closer to You daily (Philippians 3:10).
