Then Jesus said to his disciples, “If anyone desires to come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.
Whoever tries to save his life by forsaking Christ, denying His Gospel, and currying favour with men to gain worldly comfort will lose it, exposing himself to God's wrath and everlasting destruction. But whoever loses his life willingly for Christ's sake, willing to endure poverty and death rather than deny Him, shall find it in endless joy.
AI summary
Christ showed He must suffer; now He shows His disciples must suffer too, and willingly. A true disciple comes after Him as sheep after shepherd, soldiers after captain, not one who prescribes to Him as Peter just did. This is a deliberate choice and cheerful resolution, not accident or another's will.
AI summary
Commenting on Matthew 16:24-28
Verse 24-28. This discourse is also recorded in and Let him deny himself. That is, let him surrender to God his will, affections, body, and soul. Let him not seek his own happiness as the supreme object, but be willing to renounce all, and lay down his life also, if required. Take up his cross. . (x) "any man"