"Then said Jesus unto His disciples, If any man will come after Me, let him deny himself, and
take up his cross, and follow Me. For whosoever will save his life shall lose it; and whosoever
will lose his life for My sake shall find it" (Matt. 16:24,25).

Our Lord turns to the disciples and puts before them that not merely is He going to the cross, but
they must be prepared to follow Hun there. If I am to be in the true path of Jesus, I must deny
myself and take up the cross and follow_not the disciples, not this church or that church, but_
Jesus Himself. I must turn from what is pleasing to my heart naturally. I must meet with shame
and rejection in this present evil world. If not, depend upon it, I am not following Jesus. And
remember, it is a dangerous thing to believe in Jesus without following Him. Following Jesus may
be like losing one’s life. At the present time much confession of Christ is, comparatively, an easy
matter. There is little opposition or persecution. People imagine that the world is changed; they
talk of progress and enlightenment. The truth is, Christians are changed. Let us ask ourselves
whether we desire to be found taking up our cross and following Jesus.

The flesh easily assumes superiority over the spirit; and indulgence to the path of ease comes in
(though of Satan) under the plea of love and kindness. Is the cross of Christ our glory? Are we
willing to suffer in doing His will? What a delusion is present honor and enjoyment!

(From Lectures on the Gospel of Matthew.)