Matthew 16:24–28 reminds us of the time Jesus calls us to carry our cross and follow him in our daily lives.
Following Jesus isn’t about comfort—it’s about commitment.
In Matthew 16:24–28, Jesus tells His disciples the true cost of discipleship: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. It’s a radical call, but one that comes with eternal reward.
Matthew 16:24–28 (NASB 2020)
24 Then Jesus said to His disciples, “If anyone wants to come after Me, he must deny himself, take up his cross, and follow Me. 25 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it. 26 For what good will it do a person if he gains the whole world, but forfeits his soul? Or what will a person give in exchange for his soul? 27 For the Son of Man is going to come in the glory of His Father with His angels, and will then repay every person according to his deeds. 28 Truly I say to you, there are some of those standing here who will not taste death until they see the Son of Man coming in His kingdom.
Who Was Jesus Speaking To?
- His disciples, immediately after Peter was rebuked
- All future followers, including you and me in 2025
What Happened?
- Jesus taught the cost of following Him
- He laid out three steps: deny self, carry cross, follow Him
- He exposed the futility of worldly success compared to the value of the soul
- He promised a future reward and accountability for every person
The Mood: Intense, Sobering, Empowering
- Jesus delivers a direct and difficult truth
- The disciples likely felt the weight of this new standard
- Yet His words are also filled with hope and future glory
The Principle: Discipleship Is a Daily Death That Leads to Eternal Life
- You cannot follow Christ without surrendering self
- The cross isn’t just a symbol—it’s a lifestyle of obedience
- There is no profit in winning the world and losing your soul
- Christ rewards those who walk faithfully, even when it hurts
Audience Response (Then)
The disciples were challenged to rethink their view of success, greatness, and the Messiah’s mission. They had to process that following Jesus meant sacrifice, not status.
What This Means for Us in 2025
Discipleship is still the narrow road today. In a world obsessed with comfort, image, and control, Jesus calls us to:
- Let go of self-centeredness
- Live courageously countercultural lives
- Stay faithful when it’s not popular or convenient
If we want resurrection power, we must walk the path of cross-bearing surrender.
Action Steps for Today
- Identify where the self is still on the throne. Surrender it.
- Say no to comfort when obedience costs more.
- Serve someone without being seen or rewarded.
- Set your eyes on eternity. This life isn’t all there is.
- Embrace the hard road. That’s where transformation happens.
Final Prayer
Jesus, thank You for calling me to something deeper than comfort. Help me carry my cross daily and follow You fully. Keep my heart fixed on eternity, and give me courage to surrender what I cannot keep for what I cannot lose. Amen.
If you’re not carrying a cross, you’re not on the path Jesus walked. But if you are, keep walking. He’s right beside you.
