If
anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross
daily, and follow Me. - Luke 9:23
Lent is a period of 40 days prior to Easter (excluding Sundays). For many people it
commemorates Jesus' fasting in the wilderness. They "give up something" for Lent
every year, like sweets or TV. This can yield spiritual benefits, but denying yourself things
and denying yourself aren't the same. In Luke 9:23, Jesus taught the latter.
This verse can be broken down into three parts. In the statement "If anyone desires
to come after Me," the word desires indicates that this is for sincere
disciples only. In the phrase "let him deny himself," the words let and deny
himself imply a willingness to renounce one's selfish will and ways. And in the
statement "take up his cross daily," the word daily emphasizes a
continual dying to self-will.
It's easier to give things than to give ourselves. Yet Jesus gave Himself, and so must we.
To those who deny themselves in obedient service, He has promised, "Whoever loses his
life for My sake will save it" (v.24). And to His question, "What profit is it
to a man if he gains the whole world, and is himself destroyed?" we are called to
answer, "There is no profit!" We show that we believe this when we deny
ourselves and follow Christ.
-JEY
To follow Christ we must let go
Of all that we hold dear;
And as we do deny ourselves,
Our gains become more clear.
-Sper
By living for ourselves we die; by dying to ourselves we live.