This article is part of the What Does It Mean? series.
Following Jesus and Denying Self
“And he said to all, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me.’”
Jesus seeks disciples—people who respond to all that he is and all that he offers with a faith that says, Wherever you take me, I’ll go. A closer look at Luke 9:23 shows us that Jesus calls his followers not only to embrace the costs of commitment but to experience staggering levels of grace and freedom.
First, Jesus offers us the privilege of becoming his life-apprentices. In the first century, this meant asking a teacher to form one’s entire heart and life. Jesus flips the script, extending his invitation to “all”—including those who are already his disciples as well as the crowds. Together, the two make up a “faithless and twisted generation” (Luke 9:37–41) that is…
