Take Up the Cross and Follow Him
By Meridith Curtis
We don't talk much about death in modern Christianity. Not really. We talk about breakthrough, blessing, identity, purpose—and rightly so. Those are beautiful truths. But Jesus never promised us a life that avoids death. In fact, He demanded it.
Not just death at the end of our lives, but a daily, intentional dying.
The Cross Is an Execution, Not a Burden
When Jesus says, "Take up your cross," He's not talking about life's minor irritations—a hard day at work, a difficult relationship, or waiting in line at the DMV. The cross wasn't a metaphor for inconvenience. It was a literal instrument of execution. To His first-century listeners, this would have been a shocking and graphic image. The cross was Rome's way of humiliating and destroying rebels.
So when Jesus said, "Take up your cross," He wasn't inviting us into discomfort—He was inviting us into death.
Taking up your cross isn't a trip. It's an execution.
It's not about adding Jesus to your life; it's about losing your life entirely to gain His.
Dying to Live
The paradox of the gospel is that life only comes through death. Jesus makes it clear: "Whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for Me and for the gospel will save it."
We often try to have it both ways. We want resurrection power without crucifixion. But the path of Jesus is always downward before it is upward. His throne is on the other side of a cross.
You can't gain resurrection life without dying first.
Jesus had the opportunity to win the world by bowing to Satan (Luke 4:5-8), but He chose obedience instead. He embraced the cross. And because of that, He won a far greater victory—over sin, death, and hell itself.
So what does it mean for you to die today?
Obedience Over Self
The modern world glorifies autonomy. "Live your truth." "Follow your heart." "Do what makes you happy." These slogans sound freeing, but they often lead to bondage. Because our desires—apart from Christ—don't lead us to life; they lead us away from it.
To follow Jesus, we must deny ourselves. That doesn't mean loathing ourselves—it means we no longer let self rule. We silence the voices of ego, lust, pride, greed, and fear and instead submit to the voice of Jesus.
Dying to self might look like:
- Choosing silence instead of defending your pride
- Giving generously when your budget says no
- Saying no to sexual temptation when it whispers "no one will know"
- Being bold about your faith even when it costs influence or approval
A Different Kind of Rebellion
"Jesus calls us to rebel—against the established order of this world. We are called to rebel against the tyranny of the flesh, against fear and conformity, against the traditions of man."
This is not passive Christianity. It's not bland conformity. It's a fierce, Spirit-empowered rebellion—not against people, but against the systems of darkness that enslave them.
While the world rebels against God, followers of Jesus rebel against the slavery of sin, Satan, and worldly idols.
Jesus Himself was the most radical figure who ever lived. He didn't conform. He didn't play along with religious hypocrisy or cultural power games. He turned over tables. He challenged empires. And He did it all in perfect obedience to the Father.
If we are to follow Him, we must walk that same narrow, cruciform path.
Dying Doesn't End You—It Frees You
Here's the good news: The cross is not the end.
The call to die is a call to freedom. When we lay down our old life, we don't lose our identity—we find it. When we kill sin, we don't lose pleasure—we gain joy. When we deny self, we don't lose our uniqueness—we finally become who God created us to be.
Jesus doesn't call you to death because He's cruel. He calls you to death because He wants you to live.
And resurrection only comes after the cross.
Reflection
- What part of your life are you still clinging to instead of surrendering to Jesus?
- In what areas are you being called to die to self—pride, comfort, fear, image?
- What would it look like today to take up your cross—not in theory, but in practice?
Prayer
Jesus, I confess that I often want the crown without the cross. I cling to my own ways, my own comfort, my own desires. But You have shown me a better way. Teach me to die daily. Help me deny myself, take up my cross, and follow You—no matter the cost. I trust that in losing my life for Your sake, I will find true life. Give me courage to live cruciform. Amen.
If you enjoyed this devotional, you'll love my 40-day devotional Kingdom Living: How Your Ordinary Days Become Extraordinary Ministry—a daily journey that helps you see your everyday moments as powerful opportunities for eternal impact.
Take time to reflect on what cross Jesus might be asking you to carry today. Not all deaths are public. Some are quiet, internal, and known only to God. But He sees—and He resurrects.
Grace and peace,
Meridith
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