Thematic Bible: Jesus requires self-denial and "crosses,"

Then Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny self [i.e., of always having its own way] and lift up his cross [of responsibility] and [then he can] become my follower. Verse ConceptsGiving, Of OneselfAbstinence as a disciplineCommitment, to Jesus ChristChristlikenessAttitudes Of Self Denialdiscipleship, nature ofdiscipleship, cost ofdisciples, characteristics ofGod, Suffering OfGospel, Requirements OfImitatingMartyrdom, Qualities OfParticipation, In ChristRenunciationSelf DenialUnion With Christ, Significance OfUnselfishnessChrist Our ExampleRole ModelsCommandments Of ChristCrucifying Our FleshChrist Speaking To DisciplesChrist's Disciples Will SufferInstructions About FollowingOur CrucifixionConditions Of Fruit-bearingLearning From JesusParticipation In Christ SufferingsThe CrossDiscipleshipdenialfollowing

[And] whoever does not carry his own cross [i.e., his responsibilities with all their difficulties] and follow me cannot be my disciple. Verse Conceptsdiscipleship, nature ofdiscipleship, cost ofdisciples, characteristics ofSelf SacrificePeople's Inability To Serve GodChrist's Disciples Will SufferInstructions About FollowingThe CrossDiscipleshipfollowing

And the person who does not accept his cross [i.e., his responsibilities with all their difficulties] and become my follower does not deserve me. The person who finds [everything to satisfy him in] this life [here on earth] will lose [never ending life]. But the person who [is willing to] lose [the comforts and security of] this life [here on earth] for my sake [i.e., in loyal service to me] will find it [i.e., never ending life]. [See Mark 10:29-30]

And He called the crowd to Him, along with His disciples, and said to them, "If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny himself [i.e., of always having his own way] and accept his cross [i.e., his responsibilities, with all their difficulties] and then he can become my follower. For whoever would [try to] save his life [i.e., by neglecting spiritual things] will lose it [i.e., miss out on the blessings of God]. But whoever [is willing] to lose his life [i.e., in commitment to God's service] for my sake and [the work of] the Gospel's sake, will save it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings].

Then He said to everyone, "If anyone wants to be my follower, he should deny self [i.e., of always having its own way] and accept his cross [i.e., his responsibilities, with all their difficulties] everyday, and [then he can] become my follower. For whoever would [try to] save his life [i.e., by neglecting spiritual things] will lose it [i.e., miss out on the blessings of God]. But whoever [willingly] loses his life [i.e., in commitment to God's service] for my sake, that person will save it [i.e., obtain both temporal and spiritual blessings]. For what is a person benefited if he gains the whole world [i.e., of material things] and [yet] loses [his spiritual life] or gives himself up [to spiritual ruin]? read more.
For whoever will be ashamed of me and of my words, the Son of man will [also] be ashamed of him when He returns in His own splendor and that of the Father and of the holy angels.