“Then he said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will save it. 25 What good is it for someone to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit their very self?” Luke 9.23-25
Jesus begins His message to His disciples and those listening in person with these words: “Whoever wants to be my disciple… must… follow me.”
I’m intentionally leaving out “deny themselves” and “take up their cross daily” for a moment. These are essential requirements that cannot be overlooked for long. But when it comes to what Jesus is truly offering (not demanding), it is simply this: follow Him.
“Whoever,” Jesus says—which means everyone is welcome.
That said, there are conditions and sacrifices involved in following Jesus:
1. You must have the desire to follow.
2. You must deny your own desires.
3. You must take up your cross daily.
You cannot follow Jesus without desire, self-denial, and a willingness to make sacrifices to walk as He walked.
Those who choose to follow Jesus usually understand this—at least at the beginning. Sometimes we lose it along the way through sin, sometimes we fall because of weakness, and other times we are lured away by the devil. That is exactly why Jesus states these conditions right at the start, and why He presents them as an invitation. Jesus is not forcing a lifestyle change; He is offering a better way.
The way of Jesus is—without dispute—better.
The way of the devil chases after fleshly desires and ends in death, demise, and destruction.
The way of Jesus leads to life, liberty, and a holiness that permeates every part of life.
Is it easy? Never.
Is it better? Certainly.
Is it eternally rewarding? Absolutely.
Bottom line: Jesus invites everyone to follow Him. If we choose to follow, we must do so in the way He described. Anything less is not truly following Jesus.
“O Lord God, You are good and faithful. When my love fails, Your love remains faithful. When I am lured away, You always provide a way out and a way back. Come now, Holy Spirit—fill me with Your power and love. Enable me to walk in newness of life so I may become all that You have called and created me to be. For You are good, and Your love endures forever.” Amen.