We Don't LoseSample

The Challenge of Jesus

Until that point, Jesus had gradually revealed His identity through miracles and teachings. But now the focus shifts: it’s no longer just about who He is, but what it means to follow Him.

To be a disciple of Christ means denying ourselves, taking up our cross, and following Him. This is a call to radical loyalty. In Jesus’ day, the cross wasn’t a religious symbol or a decorative accessory—it was the cruelest instrument of torture in the Roman Empire, reserved for the worst criminals and slaves. Taking up the cross meant embracing shame, pain, and surrender.

That same invitation still stands today. Following Christ is rarely comfortable or popular—it’s a radical call to total surrender.

I remember when I started discovering God’s purpose for my life, I had to make some costly decisions. I ended certain relationships, closed doors that didn’t feed my faith, and let go of things that seemed important but weren’t leading me to the future God had for me. At first, it felt like I was giving up too much, and I wondered if it was really worth it. But over time I realized that what God was asking me to let go of was small compared to everything He was giving me. What looked like loss turned out to be pure gain.

Following Jesus has never meant comfort. It’s a countercultural path that requires us to surrender our egos, plans, and ambitions to embrace His. Every time we choose to obey Christ—even when it costs us—we’re taking up our cross. And that’s where we find the paradox of the Kingdom: what is lost for Christ is never truly lost. It’s the path to fullness of life.

Reflection Questions:

• What areas of my life do I need to surrender to follow Jesus more fully?
• How does “taking up my cross” and following Him look like in my daily life?

Prayer: Lord Jesus, I want to follow You with joy and surrender. Help me let go of what doesn’t add value, and trust that in You I’ll find fullness of life. Give me courage to walk each day in Your footsteps. In Your name, amen.