It's Not What You Think...

Luke 9:23 And he said to all, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me. 24 For whoever would save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will save it. 25 For what does it profit a man if he gains the whole world and loses or forfeits himself?

In this long chapter Luke presents scenario after scenario where the disciples are learning what it means to follow after Jesus - primarily by addressing what it is not. First, he sent his disciples out two by two, sharing the good news of the Gospel. Rather than having everyone respond positively, many would refuse them. Next, Herod "wanted" to see Jesus, but did not have the courage nor desire to make it happen.  The feeding of the five thousand was not a promise of a free lunch, but a call to trust him for all things. Peter figured out and publicly proclaimed Christ to be the Messiah, only to have Jesus respond by saying He would die before begin able to take the throne. We then come to the above statement about discipleship being self-denial. Following this, Jesus rebukes them for their lack of faith, tells them not to "grow up," but become more like a child, rebukes them for seeing the unsaved as their enemies, and turns away many who say they want to follow after him... but just not yet nor to the degree that He requires. Jesus seems to be giving more reasons to not follow Him than to do so, but really He is just saying: "It's not what you think."