24. Then Jesus told his disciples, “If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me. 25. For whoever would save his life [g] will lose it, but whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. 26. For what will it profit a man if he gains the whole world and forfeits his soul? Or what shall a man give in return for his soul? 27. For the Son of Man is going to come with his angels in the glory of his Father, and then he will repay each person according to what he has done.
Matthew 16:24-27 ESV

When you purchase a new gadget, there’s a familiar sequence of events that follows. After carefully unwrapping the sleek packaging and powering on the device, you are greeted with a series of prompts that guide you through the initial setup.

One crucial step in this process is the acceptance of the terms and conditions, a lengthy document filled with fine print. If you’re anything like me, you might find yourself skimming through these pages, feeling overwhelmed by the small font and extensive verbiage. With a sigh and a quick click of the checkbox, you move on, eager to explore your new gadget. However, the reality is that those terms and conditions are intended to be carefully read and comprehended, not just glanced at hurriedly.

What I aim to highlight here is the deeper implication of this practice. Similarly, in the kingdom of Christ, there exists an open invitation to discipleship extended to all. Yet, we must critically reflect on our commitment: Am I genuinely following Christ?

Let’s delve into this introspection through the lens of scripture. In the preceding passage, we witness Jesus engaging his disciples with a significant question regarding his identity. When he asks them who people say he is, they respond by sharing various public opinions about him. Yet, the conversation takes a pivotal turn when Jesus poses a more personal inquiry: “But what about you? Who do you say I am?”. Peter boldly steps forward, declaring, “You are the Christ, the Son of the Living God.” In response to this profound confession, Jesus reveals that such insight is not of human origin but rather a revelation from God the Father. He then goes on to disclose the purpose of his earthly mission—that he must suffer greatly, be killed, and on the third day rise again. Ironically, the same Peter who had just recognised Jesus’ divine identity reacts with disbelief, pulling him aside to insist, “God forbid it, Lord! This shall never happen to you!”

The next verse illustrates Jesus’ stern rebuke of Peter, simultaneously addressing the influence of Satan in this situation. Here, he articulates a fundamental truth about what it means to be a follower of Christ. Let’s explore three essential points derived from this passage.

Firstly, Jesus emphasises to his disciples that his mission entails suffering—a concept Peter vehemently opposes. Peter’s reaction reveals his desire for glory and power alongside Christ, yet he wishes to bypass the necessary suffering that accompanies such a path. This expectation aligns with the perspective many Jews held at the time. They yearned for a messianic figure who would liberate them from Roman oppression and restore their nation to its former glory, yet this was not the divine plan that Jesus came to fulfil.

Secondly, the rebuke from Jesus reflects the ignorance of Peter regarding the true mission of Christ. In his naivety, Peter became a stumbling block, unwittingly promoting a worldly perspective over God’s purpose.
Jesus’ response serves as a reminder to align one’s thoughts with divine intent rather than mere human desire.

Lastly, Jesus outlines the principles that define a true disciple in his kingdom. These principles should be recognised as the essential terms and conditions of discipleship that he lays out for all of us today. So, what constitutes a disciple?

A disciple is simply someone who prioritises the interests of God above their own. Unfortunately, there is a misconception among many Christians that being a disciple is a higher tier of faith, reserved for a select few, while servanthood is viewed as the entry-level position. This is misguided. Anyone who comes to faith in Christ and trusts in him is considered a disciple; there are no levels or qualifications in this calling.

From the most seasoned believers to those just starting their journey, we are all equally followers of Christ. So, what are the terms and conditions of discipleship? Returning to the text, Jesus proclaims,

“If anyone wishes to follow me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me.”

The terms of discipleship can be divided into three essential categories: the demands, the duties, and the destination.

Demands

In his message, Christ communicates that the foremost demand of following him is the call to deny oneself. He underscores that the first step is to recognise that we, ourselves, are the source of the problem.

Denying oneself involves a daily commitment to surrendering our desires and ambitions in favour of pursuing God’s way. It is not an act of asceticism that focuses solely on self-denial for the sake of self-discipline; rather, it’s an invitation to prioritise God’s interests over our own. The truth is that in our fallen state, we possess nothing of true value apart from Christ (as echoed in Isaiah 64:6).

However, the call to discipleship does not end with self-denial. We are instructed to take up our cross. In contemporary usage, “taking up one’s cross” may be trivialised, often reduced to a mere badge of honour or a fashion statement. Yet, for the original audience, this concept carried grave significance. The disciples understood that to carry a cross was to embrace a fate of death; it represented being a condemned person awaiting execution.

In this context, taking up our cross means fully submitting to God’s divine will, no matter where it may lead. By doing so, we identify with Christ in his suffering. This is why we can boldly declare that we are not our own; it is a profound acknowledgement of our redemption in him. Paul exemplified this truth by stating that he had been crucified with Christ. (Galatians 2:20).

So, are you denying yourself and taking up your cross?

Duties

“Follow me,” Christ tells his disciples to follow Him on His terms, not their own. This is about our commitment to Christ. Suffering is part of this commitment and should not be avoided because it leads to glory. So, what does following Christ mean? It means focusing on Christ and pursuing His goals in your life. As disciples saved by grace, we must prioritise God’s interests. An unbeliever does not care about God’s things because their heart has not been changed (Romans 8:6-8).

A disciple submits to God’s will in all aspects of life. This means that everything we do on earth should glorify Christ and not ourselves (1 Corinthians 10:31).

Destination

“Whoever tries to save their life will lose it, but whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. What does it profit a person to gain the whole world and lose their soul? What can a person give in return for their soul?”

Those who try to preserve their lives are living for themselves and will ultimately lose them. Christ teaches His followers that the goal of being a disciple is to have eternal life with Him. We are called to lose our lives for Christ’s sake, and in the end, we will gain it. This means giving ourselves fully to Christ.

We should not worry about our life’s details; He promises to take care of us and keep us in the way. Pursuing personal interests or plans does not profit us. We exist to glorify God and enjoy Him forever. We should not cling to our lives or our plans for the future; our souls are too valuable for that.

The blessing of being a disciple is for those who will let go of their pursuits and follow Him. So, what would you give in exchange for your soul?

This is an excerpt from the sermon preached by Pastor Osinchi Nwoko of Sovereign Grace Lekki Church on March 02, 2025.

Editor: Jesuseun Awonusi