What It Really Means to Take Up Your Cross

“Then Jesus said to His disciples, ‘If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow Me.’”
Matthew 16:24

The Misunderstood Cross

In today’s culture, “bearing your cross” is often reduced to enduring life’s inconveniences. People say things like, “My job is stressful, but I guess it’s just my cross to bear.” But when Jesus spoke of taking up your cross, He wasn’t talking about minor annoyances.

He was talking about death—death to self.

In the first century, the cross was not symbolic. It was an execution device. If you were carrying a cross, you weren’t going to therapy—you were going to your certain death.

So when Jesus invites us to follow Him, He’s not offering a comfortable religious routine. He’s calling us to surrender everything. To die to the old life. To give up the throne of self. To live entirely for Him, even when it costs us everything.

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Deny Yourself: The First Step

Jesus says, “Let him deny himself.” This means saying no to your flesh, your will, your dreams, your ego. It doesn’t mean you hate yourself—it means you stop being your own god.

If you’ve come out of addiction, this hits home. Addiction thrives in a self-centered life. Taking up your cross means putting that “me first” mindset in the grave. You’re no longer the main character—Jesus is.

You’re not just giving up sin. You’re surrendering control.

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What Does It Mean to Take Up Your Cross?

Here’s what taking up your cross really looks like:

• Crucifying the flesh with its desires (Galatians 5:24)
• Obeying Jesus when it’s inconvenient, painful, or unpopular
• Walking away from relationships that pull you into sin
• Choosing holiness over comfort
• Loving your enemies when your flesh wants revenge
• Enduring persecution or mockery because you live for Christ
• Saying “yes” to God even when your emotions scream “no”

Taking up your cross isn’t a one-time event. It’s a daily decision.

1 Corinthians 15:31 says, “I affirm, by the boasting in you which I have in Christ Jesus our Lord, I die daily.”

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Why It’s Worth It

Following Jesus will cost you—but not following Him will cost you far more.

Taking up your cross leads to freedom. When the old you dies, the new you—reborn in Christ—can finally live. That’s when healing happens. That’s when chains fall off. That’s when peace floods your soul.

The world promises life and gives you death. Jesus demands death—and gives you eternal life.

“For whoever desires to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it.”
— Matthew 16:25

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Reflect and Respond

Ask yourself:

• What part of my old life am I still clinging to?
• Is there anything Jesus is calling me to surrender that I keep resisting?
• Am I truly following Jesus—or am I asking Him to follow me?

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A Prayer for the Cross-Carrying Life

Abba Father,
I don’t want to follow You halfway. I want to die to the life that leads to destruction and live fully for You, on the straight and narrow road that leads to eternity in Heaven with You. Show me the parts of my heart that are still trying to sit on the throne. I lay them down right now. I take up my cross today—willingly, fully, and without shame. Teach me to live crucified to the world and alive in You.
In Jesus’ name,
Amen.

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Thought

Carrying your cross is not just a concept. It’s the daily reality of true discipleship. It means giving up what you can’t keep to gain what you can never lose.

Take up your cross, friend. There’s resurrection life on the other side.