Lent is a period of 40 day prior to Easter (excluding Sundays). For
many people it commemorates Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness. They
“give up something” for the Lent every year, like sweets or T.V. This
can yield spiritual benefits, but denying yourself aren’t the same. In
Luke 9:23, Jesus taught the latter.
This verse can be broken
down into three parts. In the statement “If anyone desires to come
after Me,” the word desires indicates that this is for sincere
disciples only. In the phrase “let him deny himself,” the words let and
deny himself imply a willingness to renounce one’s selfish will and
ways. And in the statement “take up his cross daily,” the word daily
emphasises a continual dying to self-will.
It’s easier to give
things than to give ourselves. Yet Jesus gave Himself, and so must we.
To those who deny themselves in obedient service, He has promised,
“Whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:24). And to
His question, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world,
and is himself destroyed?” we are called to answer, “There is no
profit!” We show that we believe this when we deny ourselves and follow
Christ. By living for ourselves we die; by dying to ourselves we live.
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me”
many people it commemorates Jesus’ fasting in the wilderness. They
“give up something” for the Lent every year, like sweets or T.V. This
can yield spiritual benefits, but denying yourself aren’t the same. In
Luke 9:23, Jesus taught the latter.
This verse can be broken
down into three parts. In the statement “If anyone desires to come
after Me,” the word desires indicates that this is for sincere
disciples only. In the phrase “let him deny himself,” the words let and
deny himself imply a willingness to renounce one’s selfish will and
ways. And in the statement “take up his cross daily,” the word daily
emphasises a continual dying to self-will.
It’s easier to give
things than to give ourselves. Yet Jesus gave Himself, and so must we.
To those who deny themselves in obedient service, He has promised,
“Whoever loses his life for My sake will save it” (Luke 9:24). And to
His question, “What profit is it to a man if he gains the whole world,
and is himself destroyed?” we are called to answer, “There is no
profit!” We show that we believe this when we deny ourselves and follow
Christ. By living for ourselves we die; by dying to ourselves we live.
"If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me”