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Matthew 16:24 - SURRENDER ALL.

Matthew 16:24 (NIV) Then Jesus said to his disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.

INTRODUCTION

   Real commitment implies pledging our whole existence to God's service. If we try to save our physical lives from death, pain, or discomfort, we may risk losing eternal life. If we protect ourselves from the pain God calls us to suffer, we begin to die spiritually and emotionally. Our lives turn inward, and we lose our intended purpose. When we give our lives in service to Jesus, however, we discover the real purpose of living.
   When we don't know Jesus, we make choices as though there were no afterlife. In reality, the life we live now is just the introduction to eternity. How we live during this brief span determines our eternal state. What we accumulate on earth has no value in gaining eternal life. Even the highest social or civic honors cannot earn us entrance into heaven. Evaluate your lifestyle from an eternal perspective, and you will find your values and decisions changing. [Life Application SB 2019]

COMMENTARY PEARL

Sanctification is not the work of a moment, an hour, a day, but of a lifetime. It is not gained by a happy flight of feeling, but is the result of constantly dying to sin, and constantly living for Christ. Wrongs cannot be righted nor reformations wrought in the character by feeble, intermittent efforts. It is only by long, persevering effort, sore discipline, and stern conflict, that we shall overcome... So long as Satan reigns, we shall have self to subdue, besetting sins to overcome; so long as life shall last, there will be no stopping place, no point which we can reach and say, I have fully attained. Sanctification is the result of lifelong obedience. AA560,1

COMMENTARY

   There is not one verse of Scripture that indicates you can be a Christian and live any kind of a life you want to. When Christ enters the heart, He expects to be Lord and Master. He commands complete surrender - mind, body, talents, and abilities. He expects nothing less than that all your work will be performed in His name.
   We have the warning of Christ that He will not receive us into His kingdom until we are ready to give up all, until we are ready to turn from all sin in our lives. Don't try to do it partway. Don't say, "I'll live part of my life for Jesus and part for my own desires." Jesus expects 100 percent surrender, and when that is accomplished He rewards a thousandfold. But don't expect Jesus to hand out any 50 percent awards for 50 percent surrenders! God doesn't work that way. When you have determined that you are renouncing sin, forsaking sin, and yielding all to Christ, you have taken another step toward peace with God. [Peace for Each Day by Billy Graham]

ILLUSTRATION

   During the early years of the twentieth century, Bill Borden turned his back on one of America's great family fortunes to become a missionary to China. He only got as far as Egypt where, still in his twenties, he died of typhoid fever. Before his death he wrote, "No reserves, no retreats, no regrets!"
   Discipleship is always costly. No, it may not cost us our lives. But it will cost us. It will cost us our plans, our wills, our selfish desires. Jesus' standard has not changed: "If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross, and follow Me" (Matt. 16:24). Instead of controlling our lives, we turn them over to Christ as Lord.
   Someone has said, "Salvation is free but not cheap." It cost Jesus His life, and it will cost us as well. But could anything be greater? Could anything be more fulfilling?
   Follow Christ, and at life's end you will be able to say, "No regrets!" [Hope for Each Day by Billy Graham]

AI COMMENTARY

   Matthew 16:24 (KJV/NIV/ESV) records Jesus telling his disciples, "If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me." It emphasizes that true discipleship requires self-denial, daily sacrifice, and total commitment, choosing to follow Jesus rather than selfish desires.
   Key Themes in Matthew 16:24:
      o Deny Himself: This involves renouncing the selfish, self-centered, "I, me, my" nature, and putting Jesus and the gospel ahead of one's own desires.
      o Take Up His Cross: In the Roman context, this symbolized a journey of humiliation and death, representing a willingness to endure suffering, shame, and complete surrender to God's will, not just bearing a minor inconvenience.
      o Follow Me: This represents an active, daily commitment to imitate Jesus' life, teachings, and submission to the Father.
   This verse highlights that following Jesus is not for personal gain but often involves sacrifice and a total reorientation of life.

LINKS FOR FURTHER STUDY

Matthew 16:24 - Deny Self Pick Up Your Cross Follow Jesus.
http://www.abible.com/devotions/2021/20210818-1019.html

Mark 8:34 - Take Up Your Cross.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2023/20230405-0923.html

Luke 9:23 - MORE OF JESUS.
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2025/20250624-1531.html

Matthew 10:39 - Living for Jesus or for Self?
https://www.abible.com/devotions/2020/20200202-0944.html