Deny Yourself
Luke 9:23-24 has been labeled part of Jesus’ Ministry to the Twelve. He just fed the five thousand and was asking the disciples who they thought Jesus was. After this He explained to them that if anyone wanted to come after Him, they must die to themselves and take up their cross or burden and follow after Him.
In my opinion, this passage is about losing your identity and total self to go after the person God intended you to be. We are to become totally dependent on Christ alone. Our identity is to be found in Him and no longer in ourselves. It is not enough to just “follow” Him. Jesus wants a radical commitment from His people to totally deny all of their own Earthly desires, and to take up Christ’s desires and characteristics. If we truly want to save our lives, we must lose it in Christ unashamedly, however, if we hold onto it, and continue to do whatever we please, we will truly lose it on the Day of the Lord. Many people get caught up in searching and striving for the “American Dream”. We must put this idea of perfection and fulfillment out of our minds because without Christ in the middle of our dreams and hopes, we will lose our soul.
I believe this passage deals with the subject of consecration. To truly follow the Lord, we must deny ourselves, and everything that we desire in human form, and pursue and follow everything that God wants and desires for our lives. This is a daily battle, because as humans, we often times are selfish and want to do things our own way, and control different aspects of our lives; however, God calls us to give up our desires, to chase after his. In verse 24, we find the promise from Jesus that if we choose to hang on to our human desires, we will lose our lives, and the only way to save our life is by giving everything to Christ.
Verse 23 speaks to the cost of following after Jesus Christ. It is not a “safe” calling. Jesus isn’t safe. He is good, but never safe. His call is a radical one. To die to everything that we want and to follow after Him with our whole selves is a radical and challenging commitment Jesus is looking for. Verse 24 speaks to the seriousness of Jesus’ call. Jesus lays the truth out before His followers, even when it’s not the easy thing to hear. He wants them to know the weight of the consequences of their decisions, whether they be good or bad in the end.
Scholars have much to say on this subject. Mostly, they agree. William Barclay says that we are called to self-denial. Peter “denied” Christ. He acted he didn’t know him and he didn’t exist. This is how we should treat ourselves; we are to ignore our very existence (Barclay 143). Barclay also says that we are to take up our crosses. Jesus knew the cruelty, embarrassment and torture that went along with the cross. He wants us to be willing to follow Him at all costs, no matter what it takes (Barclay 144). On the subject of taking up our crosses, Barclay says that this has to do with our loyalty to Jesus that we are to be willing and ready to go to the extent of a cruel death in order to stay true to Him (Barclay 144). We are to spend our lives investing in others. We are called to spend our lives on others in ways that are uncomfortable. Our culture says that our time is ours to keep and that its too valuable to spend on others all the time, however, this is what Jesus calls us to—to give at all costs—that’s when we really save our lives (Barclay 144). Whichever way we choose, we will have consequences. If we live for ourselves we will be denied by Jesus in eternity—if we live for Jesus, He will claim us in eternity (Barclay 145).
John Wycliffe says the same as Barclay that just as Peter “denied” Christ, we too are called to this type of denial to ourselves. He defines denial by stating that it is to refuse to recognize something. In this way, we are to not recognize ourselves and our wants, but rather push on toward God’s desires and wants. Wycliffe describes “taking up our cross” as, “A voluntary acceptance of the responsibilities and sufferings incidental to being a disciple of Christ.” (Wycliffe 1044) This is relatively different from Barclay, in that the concept is not so much loyalty to Jesus, but rather a simple voluntary choice to be willing to suffer for Christ. Also in contrast to Barclay, John Wycliffe says that Jesus was trying to warn the disciples and also the reader to re-evaluate the cost of being a follower of Him. Wycliffe also observes that the disciples went at the first call of Christ. I agree with Wycliffe in that we are to swiftly and without hesitance follow Jesus wherever He calls—even in denying ourselves (Wycliffe 1044). Along the same lines, Wycliffe noticed that “follow” in Greek meant persistent action, as to say “keep on following”, not simply a one time instance (Wycliffe 1044).
Darrell Bock has much to say about this passage. He believes that this passage’s language correlates directly with faith. Bock takes a different approach with the “denial” we are called to. He says that it is basic self-denial that the disciples were called to, but that Jesus’ definition of self denial is that Salvation cannot and will not come by one’s own means or on their own terms, but rather it is only through Christ that we receive Salvation (Bock 852). Bock believes that the subject of literal cross-bearing in Jesus’ day was to submit to the state publically. It was an event that forced humility upon a person and forced them to be rejected from the state in the highest form possible. In our day, Bock makes the argument that cross-bearing is simply about humbly submitting to another and that other person being God (Bock 853). Bock is in agreement with the other two scholars in that he believes that we are called to continually follow Christ, it is not a one time following.
I would like to incorporate my opinion by integrating the scholar’s point’s all together. In my view, to deny yourself meant to die to every desire and want that you may have in order to pursue everything God wanted you to have. I agree with the scholars in that the way Peter denied Christ is the same way that we are called to deny ourselves—to ignore our very existence, and to refuse to even recognize ourselves and our wants and desires. On the subject of “taking up one’s cross”, my first view before doing research was that it was to take up the burden of denying one’s self, and to go all the way with it, no matter how much pain it causes one. I tend to lean more on Wycliffe’s perception of “taking up one’s cross”, in that we should voluntarily be willing to suffer for Christ in tough ways, even if it costs us our lives. I also agree with Wycliffe and Bock that to follow Christ is an ongoing decision and a daily one at that. We are not to make a decision to follow Jesus one time, but many times, in my opinion daily. I differ from Barclay’s view in that I don’t believe taking up one’s cross is much about loyalty, but rather showing our devotion to Christ by making it a voluntary act.
No matter what the scholar’s say, one thing is for certain: The subject of consecration and full devotion to God was a serious matter to Jesus. He wants to make sure that his followers are not lukewarm and mediocre. He demands a high standard, and anyone willing to give up their rights and deny themselves indeed has a high calling on their life, and will reap and even higher reward in Heaven.
Foot Notes:
Barclay , William . The Gospel of Luke . Louisville : Saint Andrew Press, 2001.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke 1:1-9:50. Grand Rapids: Baker Books , 1994.
John , Wycliffe. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary . Chicago: Moody Press, 1962.
In my opinion, this passage is about losing your identity and total self to go after the person God intended you to be. We are to become totally dependent on Christ alone. Our identity is to be found in Him and no longer in ourselves. It is not enough to just “follow” Him. Jesus wants a radical commitment from His people to totally deny all of their own Earthly desires, and to take up Christ’s desires and characteristics. If we truly want to save our lives, we must lose it in Christ unashamedly, however, if we hold onto it, and continue to do whatever we please, we will truly lose it on the Day of the Lord. Many people get caught up in searching and striving for the “American Dream”. We must put this idea of perfection and fulfillment out of our minds because without Christ in the middle of our dreams and hopes, we will lose our soul.
I believe this passage deals with the subject of consecration. To truly follow the Lord, we must deny ourselves, and everything that we desire in human form, and pursue and follow everything that God wants and desires for our lives. This is a daily battle, because as humans, we often times are selfish and want to do things our own way, and control different aspects of our lives; however, God calls us to give up our desires, to chase after his. In verse 24, we find the promise from Jesus that if we choose to hang on to our human desires, we will lose our lives, and the only way to save our life is by giving everything to Christ.
Verse 23 speaks to the cost of following after Jesus Christ. It is not a “safe” calling. Jesus isn’t safe. He is good, but never safe. His call is a radical one. To die to everything that we want and to follow after Him with our whole selves is a radical and challenging commitment Jesus is looking for. Verse 24 speaks to the seriousness of Jesus’ call. Jesus lays the truth out before His followers, even when it’s not the easy thing to hear. He wants them to know the weight of the consequences of their decisions, whether they be good or bad in the end.
Scholars have much to say on this subject. Mostly, they agree. William Barclay says that we are called to self-denial. Peter “denied” Christ. He acted he didn’t know him and he didn’t exist. This is how we should treat ourselves; we are to ignore our very existence (Barclay 143). Barclay also says that we are to take up our crosses. Jesus knew the cruelty, embarrassment and torture that went along with the cross. He wants us to be willing to follow Him at all costs, no matter what it takes (Barclay 144). On the subject of taking up our crosses, Barclay says that this has to do with our loyalty to Jesus that we are to be willing and ready to go to the extent of a cruel death in order to stay true to Him (Barclay 144). We are to spend our lives investing in others. We are called to spend our lives on others in ways that are uncomfortable. Our culture says that our time is ours to keep and that its too valuable to spend on others all the time, however, this is what Jesus calls us to—to give at all costs—that’s when we really save our lives (Barclay 144). Whichever way we choose, we will have consequences. If we live for ourselves we will be denied by Jesus in eternity—if we live for Jesus, He will claim us in eternity (Barclay 145).
John Wycliffe says the same as Barclay that just as Peter “denied” Christ, we too are called to this type of denial to ourselves. He defines denial by stating that it is to refuse to recognize something. In this way, we are to not recognize ourselves and our wants, but rather push on toward God’s desires and wants. Wycliffe describes “taking up our cross” as, “A voluntary acceptance of the responsibilities and sufferings incidental to being a disciple of Christ.” (Wycliffe 1044) This is relatively different from Barclay, in that the concept is not so much loyalty to Jesus, but rather a simple voluntary choice to be willing to suffer for Christ. Also in contrast to Barclay, John Wycliffe says that Jesus was trying to warn the disciples and also the reader to re-evaluate the cost of being a follower of Him. Wycliffe also observes that the disciples went at the first call of Christ. I agree with Wycliffe in that we are to swiftly and without hesitance follow Jesus wherever He calls—even in denying ourselves (Wycliffe 1044). Along the same lines, Wycliffe noticed that “follow” in Greek meant persistent action, as to say “keep on following”, not simply a one time instance (Wycliffe 1044).
Darrell Bock has much to say about this passage. He believes that this passage’s language correlates directly with faith. Bock takes a different approach with the “denial” we are called to. He says that it is basic self-denial that the disciples were called to, but that Jesus’ definition of self denial is that Salvation cannot and will not come by one’s own means or on their own terms, but rather it is only through Christ that we receive Salvation (Bock 852). Bock believes that the subject of literal cross-bearing in Jesus’ day was to submit to the state publically. It was an event that forced humility upon a person and forced them to be rejected from the state in the highest form possible. In our day, Bock makes the argument that cross-bearing is simply about humbly submitting to another and that other person being God (Bock 853). Bock is in agreement with the other two scholars in that he believes that we are called to continually follow Christ, it is not a one time following.
I would like to incorporate my opinion by integrating the scholar’s point’s all together. In my view, to deny yourself meant to die to every desire and want that you may have in order to pursue everything God wanted you to have. I agree with the scholars in that the way Peter denied Christ is the same way that we are called to deny ourselves—to ignore our very existence, and to refuse to even recognize ourselves and our wants and desires. On the subject of “taking up one’s cross”, my first view before doing research was that it was to take up the burden of denying one’s self, and to go all the way with it, no matter how much pain it causes one. I tend to lean more on Wycliffe’s perception of “taking up one’s cross”, in that we should voluntarily be willing to suffer for Christ in tough ways, even if it costs us our lives. I also agree with Wycliffe and Bock that to follow Christ is an ongoing decision and a daily one at that. We are not to make a decision to follow Jesus one time, but many times, in my opinion daily. I differ from Barclay’s view in that I don’t believe taking up one’s cross is much about loyalty, but rather showing our devotion to Christ by making it a voluntary act.
No matter what the scholar’s say, one thing is for certain: The subject of consecration and full devotion to God was a serious matter to Jesus. He wants to make sure that his followers are not lukewarm and mediocre. He demands a high standard, and anyone willing to give up their rights and deny themselves indeed has a high calling on their life, and will reap and even higher reward in Heaven.
Foot Notes:
Barclay , William . The Gospel of Luke . Louisville : Saint Andrew Press, 2001.
Bock, Darrell L. Luke 1:1-9:50. Grand Rapids: Baker Books , 1994.
John , Wycliffe. The Wycliffe Bible Commentary . Chicago: Moody Press, 1962.
