Luke 9:23-27·~1 min

Take Up Your Cross

Jesus calls anyone who would follow him to deny self, take up the cross daily, and follow. He contrasts saving life with losing it, warns against gaining the world and losing oneself, speaks of shame before his return, and promises that some standing there will see the kingdom.

T²³hen Jesus said to all of them, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me. ²⁴For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for My sake will save it. ²⁵What does it profit a man to gain the whole world, yet lose or forfeit his very self? ²⁶If anyone is ashamed of Me and My words, the Son of Man will be ashamed of him when He comes in His glory and in the glory of the Father and of the holy angels. ²⁷But I tell you truly, some who are standing here will not taste death before they see the kingdom of God.”

Section summaryJesus calls all who would come after him to deny themselves, take up the cross daily, and follow. He sets loss and gain in sharp contrast, warns against shame before his coming glory, and speaks of some who will see the kingdom before death. The section defines discipleship by surrender, not preservation.

Role in the chapterThis movement explains the shape of following Jesus under the shadow of his coming suffering.