The call to radical discipleship

In today’s world of Christianity, countless voices attempt to define what it means to follow Christ. At one extreme, some insist that true discipleship demands abandoning everything and retreating into seclusion. At the other, prosperity preachers declare that health and wealth are the ultimate marks of God’s favour, and poverty or suffering means you are not truly blessed. But who holds the truth? The safest and surest way is to turn away from human opinions and listen to Christ Himself. 

 

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus gives His own unmistakable call to discipleship - “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves, take up their cross, and follow me.”

 

This command comes immediately after a moment of tension—Peter rebukes Jesus for predicting His suffering and death, revealing a common misunderstanding about the Messiah’s mission. Jesus corrects him sharply, exposing the limitations of human thinking and unveiling the true cost of following Him.

 

I have no doubt that God blesses His people physically and materially. But that alone does not define true discipleship.

 

Jesus lays down three important marks of radical discipleship in this verse

 

First, deny yourself

 

To deny oneself is not a call to self-hatred but a surrender of self-rule. It means relinquishing the throne of our own desires, ambitions, and comfort, dethroning the self to enthrone Christ. In a culture obsessed with self-fulfilment and personal gain, Jesus demands a radical humility and obedience that reorients life around Him. As Paul declares in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me.” True discipleship begins with this profound self-renunciation—a daily choice to say no to ourselves and yes to the Lord.

 

Second, take up your cross

 

The call to “take up your cross” is startling. In Jesus’ world, the cross was an instrument of brutal execution, shame, and public humiliation. This was no metaphor for minor hardships; it was a call to a life marked by sacrificial suffering and, potentially, death. To carry one’s cross means to embrace the cost of faithfulness—even when it leads to rejection, persecution, and loss. This stands in stark opposition to the prosperity gospel’s promise of ease and abundance. Jesus offers no guarantee of worldly comfort, only the cross—with the promise of resurrection beyond it. To follow Christ is to align ourselves with the crucified Savior in a world often hostile to Him.

 

In stark contrast, in today’s culture, the cross is often worn as a cosmetic decoration—a fashion accessory stripped of its original meaning. It has become a symbol of style rather than sacrifice. But not in the days of Jesus. Then, to “take up your cross” meant to embrace suffering, shame, and even death for the sake of faith. This sharp contrast reminds us that following Christ calls for a deeper commitment than simply wearing a symbol; it demands living in a way that reflects the costly grace of the crucified Savior.

 

Third, follow Me

 

The essence of discipleship lies in the simple yet profound command: “follow me.” This is not passive belief or mere admiration, but a daily, conscious imitation of Christ’s life, values, and mission. It means submitting to His lordship moment by moment—wherever He leads, through suffering and joy alike. Jesus says in verse 25, “Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it.” Discipleship is a paradox: life is found through loss; victory through surrender.

 

The tension of blessing and suffering

 

How do we reconcile this call with the many Scriptures promising God’s goodness, blessing, and provision? The key lies in understanding that God’s blessings often transcend material comfort. They include peace that surpasses understanding, joy in suffering, freedom from sin’s power, and security in His love. God’s blessing is spiritual and transformative, often achieved through trials and hardships that shape us into Christlikeness (Romans 8:29).

 

We live in the “now and not yet”—between the resurrection and Christ’s return. We experience foretastes of God’s kingdom alongside real suffering. This tension is not contradictory but complementary: God is good, and yet His call to follow Jesus involves sacrifice and suffering. The cross is not the enemy of life; it is the pathway to true, eternal life.

 

The true cost of discipleship

 

Many followed Jesus expecting a political messiah, miracles, or personal gain. But Jesus’ words demand total commitment—a willingness to lose everything for His sake, including relationships, reputation, and even life itself. In Luke 9:57–62, those who expressed a desire to follow Him faltered when confronted with the cost, revealing that true discipleship requires counting the cost fully.

 

Jesus’ call filters out casual followers. It demands a heart fully surrendered, ready to bear loss and rejection for the sake of Christ. This isn’t about seeking suffering but about choosing Christ above all else, regardless of the cost.

 

Ask yourself:

 

Would I follow Jesus if it meant losing friends or family?

Would I choose Him if it cost my reputation, career, or even my life?

These questions strike at the core of genuine discipleship.

 

Prayer

 

Lord Jesus,

 

You call me not to comfort, but to the cross. Forgive my attempts to follow You on my own terms—resisting surrender, avoiding sacrifice, pursuing my desires above Your will. Teach me daily to deny myself, to relinquish control, pride, and selfish ambition, and to submit wholly to You. Give me strength to take up my cross with courage and faith, embracing whatever You ask, even in hardship. When the path is dark, remind me of the joy set before me. When I am weak, draw me near to Your strength. As I follow You, shape me to reflect Your grace, truth, and love. Use my life for Your glory, whatever the cost. Amen.

 

Final Reflection

 

Matthew 16:24 is a radical invitation to die to self and live in Christ. It shatters illusions of easy faith and calls us to a journey marked by surrender, sacrifice, and transformation. The cross is not the end but the gateway to resurrection life—true life that the world cannot offer.

 

To deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus is to embrace a path of profound purpose, eternal reward, and deep intimacy with the living God.