In the Ring with Jesus.

“If anyone wants to follow me, let them deny themselves, take up their cross daily, and follow me.” Luke 9:23–24

Jesus doesn’t ease into his teaching. He doesn’t frame it as a suggestion or dress it up as a motivational quote. He looks at the crowd—and at us—and says plainly: “Take up your cross and follow me.” 

That sentence lands like a punch, forcing a decision. Stay in the ring or get out? The gospel always offers this choice. It presses beyond what we feel or admire and settles squarely on what we choose. Jesus is not asking if you like Him. He is not taking a popularity poll. He is asking whether you will follow Him.

A cross is not symbolic jewelry. It is an instrument of death. And when Jesus invites us to take one up, He is naming the reality of discipleship: something in us must die if we are going to live a life in Christ.

Jesus names the paradox that sits at the heart of faith: “Those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will save it.” The tighter we cling to our own version of life—our plans, our protections, our carefully managed selves—the smaller our world becomes. But when we loosen our grip and place our lives in His hands, something unexpected happens. Life opens. Freedom grows.

There is sacrifice here, but there is grace here, too. Jesus never asks us to walk a road He has not already traveled. The One who calls us to the cross has already borne it. When we deny ourselves, we do not step into emptiness; we step into relationships. We discover that the life we surrender is not destroyed but transformed.

Over time, Jesus reshapes us. Slowly. Patiently. Daily. He teaches us that the purpose of faith is not a moment of spiritual experience or a past decision, but a life formed by love, obedience, and trust.

So today, pick up the cross again. Not with fear, but with faith. Because the One who asks you to lose your life is the same One who knows where true life is found.

Have a great week!

-Pastor Corey