Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone wants to come after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me”.
In this verse Jesus clearly defines the conditions of being His disciple. “Deny himself” means to renounce one’s own will, personal goals, and a self-centered life, submitting to God’s will. “Take up the cross” symbolizes a readiness for suffering, sacrifice, and even death, for the glory of Christ. “Follow Me” means to follow Jesus’ example not only in words, but in life. This is a call not to a comfortable faith, but to full commitment, in which the Christian is called to follow Christ fully with obedience and faith.