The call for self-denial

Matthew 16:24-27 Then Jesus said to his disciples, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross and follow me. For whoever wants to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for me will find it. What good will it be for someone to gain the whole world, yet forfeit their soul? Or what can anyone give in exchange for their soul? For the Son of Man is going to come in his Father’s glory with his angels, and then he will reward each person according to what they have done. This profound statement is packed in the middle of a whole group of dramatic statements. Peter has confessed: "You are the Christ!" Jesus has announced that He will carry out the ultimate self-denial by willingly giving His life for His followers. How can we respond to such truths? the only proper response is to "give it up" to Him, to stop thinking and living for what pleases us in this world, and live for what lasts. If He is the Savior, Our Savior, He will also be our judge, and we should willingly submit to Him.