Following Jesus as His disciple is not a casual or easy choice—it’s a life of commitment, sacrifice, and surrender. In Matthew 10:38, Jesus declares, “Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” These words challenge us to reflect on what it truly means to be His disciple. It’s a call to count the cost and embrace a life of self-denial for the sake of Christ.
What Does “Take Up Your Cross” Mean for a Disciple?
In the time of Jesus, the cross symbolized shame, suffering, and death. When He said, “Take up your cross,” it was a radical call to die to oneself and follow Him wholeheartedly.
For a disciple, taking up your cross involves:
- Dying to Self
- Being a disciple means surrendering your personal ambitions, desires, and priorities to align with Christ’s will. As Paul writes in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.”
- This self-denial allows Christ to take the central role in your life.
- Embracing Suffering for Christ
- Discipleship often comes with challenges. Jesus warned in John 15:18, “If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first.” To take up your cross is to willingly face rejection, ridicule, or persecution for the Gospel.
- Obeying Jesus Fully
- As His disciple, obedience is non-negotiable. It means following His teachings, even when it is inconvenient or costly.
Counting the Cost of Discipleship
Jesus made it clear that discipleship is not something to take lightly. In Luke 14:28-30, He compares it to building a tower:
“Suppose one of you wants to build a tower. Won’t you first sit down and estimate the cost to see if you have enough money to complete it?”
For a disciple, counting the cost means understanding the sacrifices involved:
- Surrendering Worldly Attachments
- Jesus calls His disciples to love Him more than anything else—family, possessions, or even their own lives (Luke 14:26-27). His rightful place is at the center of a disciple’s life.
- Facing Opposition
- Discipleship often means standing firm in faith despite opposition from a world that doesn’t understand or embrace Christian values.
- Trusting God Completely
- True disciples trust God’s plan, even when it requires letting go of control.
The Rewards of Discipleship
Although discipleship is costly, its rewards are eternal. Jesus promises in Matthew 16:25, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.”
- Eternal Life: The ultimate reward for a disciple is eternal fellowship with God.
- Abundant Life: Even now, following Jesus brings purpose, joy, and peace that surpass all understanding.
Conclusion
Being a disciple of Jesus means taking up your cross daily, embracing self-denial, and living in total surrender to Him. This path is not easy, but it is the only way to true freedom, fulfillment, and eternal life.
If you are ready to follow Jesus, count the cost and take the step of faith. As His disciple, you’ll find that the sacrifices you make pale in comparison to the abundant life and eternal glory that await you.
