The Call to Follow

Written by on October 26, 2024

This is a sermonette that I delivered during a Credo team meeting, based on Matthew 16:24 (ESV): “Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.'” This message reminds us that true discipleship comes with a cost, but it is worth paying for the life that Jesus offers. May we embrace that call with hearts full of faith and trust in His promise.

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Good morning, brothers and sisters in Christ.

Today, we gather to reflect on a powerful invitation from Jesus found in Matthew 16:24. It is an invitation that challenges us, transforms us, and ultimately leads us to a life of purpose and true discipleship. Jesus says, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.”

In these few words, Jesus outlines three essential actions for anyone who wishes to follow Him: deny yourself, take up your cross, and follow Him. Let’s explore what each of these means for us today.

First, “Deny Yourself.”
Denying oneself is no easy task. We live in a world that constantly tells us to seek self-fulfillment, self-promotion, and self-preservation. But Jesus calls us to something radically different. He calls us to set aside our own desires, our own ambitions, and even our own comfort, in order to make room for His will.

This doesn’t mean we become passive or unimportant—it means we let go of selfishness and pride. We place God’s desires above our own. We choose His way, not ours. It’s about trusting that God’s plans for our lives are far greater than anything we could plan for ourselves.

Second, “Take Up Your Cross.”
In Jesus’ time, the cross was not a symbol of religious reverence—it was an instrument of death. When Jesus calls us to “take up our cross,” He is not asking us to wear a symbol or engage in an easy ritual. He’s calling us to be willing to endure hardship, to bear the weight of sacrifice, and to embrace the cost of discipleship.

The cross represents the challenges we face when we walk in obedience to Christ. It might be the suffering we endure for standing firm in our faith, the sacrifices we make to live according to His Word, or the trials we experience when we are called to love and serve others in ways that stretch us beyond our limits.

But remember, we do not carry our cross alone. Jesus carried His cross first, and He promises to walk with us, to strengthen us, and to give us grace for every burden we bear.

Finally, “Follow Me.”
This is the essence of discipleship. To follow Jesus means to walk as He walked, to live as He lived, and to love as He loved. It means allowing Him to be the guide of our lives, to surrender control, and to trust His leading.

Following Jesus is not just a one-time decision—it’s a daily choice. Every morning, we must decide to walk in His footsteps, even when the road is difficult, even when the path is uncertain. We follow Him not because the journey is easy, but because He is worth following. He is our Savior, our Redeemer, and our King. And He has gone before us to show us the way.

Conclusion:
So what does this mean for us today? Jesus is calling each of us to a deeper commitment, to a life of purpose and mission. He calls us to deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Him. It is a call to leave behind the old ways of living and embrace the new life that He offers—a life of joy, peace, and eternal significance.

Will you answer that call today? Will you choose to follow Jesus, no matter the cost, knowing that His grace will sustain you and His love will guide you?

Let us pray.

Heavenly Father, we thank You for the call of Jesus to follow Him. Give us the courage to deny ourselves, the strength to take up our cross, and the faith to follow wherever You lead. May we live lives that reflect Your love and Your truth. In Jesus’ name, we pray. Amen.

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