Then Jesus said to them all: “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Luke 9:23
Pastor John Writes:
In a world that tells us, all the time, to assert ourselves, promote ourselves, and satisfy ourselves, Jesus says his followers must deny themselves. This does not mean self-hatred or diminishing our worth. Instead, it means getting rid of the illusion that we are the center of everything. It means surrendering our need to control, to win, and to always be right.
During Lent, some people practice this denial in small, intentional ways. Some people give up certain foods or habits. Others step back from social media, unnecessary spending, or distractions from prayer. These practices are not about spiritual performance. They are about creating space — space for God to reorder our priorities and reshape our desires.
When Jesus first spoke about taking up a cross, his listeners knew exactly what he meant. The cross was not a just a symbol for an inconvenience. It truly meant suffering, humility, and costly obedience. For us, to take up our cross daily means choosing faithfulness over comfort. It means loving when it would be easier to withdraw. It means forgiving, even when resentment feels justified. It means standing for righteousness, even when it costs us something.
And remember that Jesus says “daily.” Discipleship is not simply a one-time act. It is a steady, everyday turning toward Christ. It is choosing patience, kindness, and generosity, when those characteristics seem to be in short supply. Lent reminds us that the cross is not something we observe only on Good Friday; it is something we carry through the ordinary schedules of our lives.
To follow Jesus during Lent is to walk with him toward Jerusalem — through his trials, suffering, death, and resurrection. It is to trust that the way of the cross is also the way of life. May this Lenten season be a time of courage, hope, and renewed devotion as we follow him.
In Christ,
The Rev. John G. Rights
