The Cross—A Daily Invitation to Grace
Adapted and inspired by Day by Day by Grace, this series reflects on God's boundless grace and His work in our lives, guiding us to live in humble dependence on Him.
When I first read Jesus’ words, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow Me” (Luke 9:23), I was struck by their weight. Following Jesus wasn’t just about belief—it was about surrender, humility, and a willingness to let go of my old self. At first, I wrestled with what this meant practically. Did “taking up my cross” mean adding burdens or hardships? Or was it about something deeper—something profoundly freeing?
The Call to Deny Self
To follow Jesus, we’re first called to deny ourselves. This doesn’t mean suppressing our personalities or the good things God has placed in us. Instead, it’s about renouncing the self-life—the part of us that strives, schemes, and seeks significance apart from God.
I’ve lived much of my life striving to prove my worth, whether through accomplishments, relationships, or even spiritual “good deeds.” But the more I tried, the more exhausted I became. Jesus’ call to deny myself was His loving invitation to let go of the life I was building in my own strength and rest in Him instead.
Here’s the humbling truth: nothing I can do in my flesh—no effort, no success, no righteousness of my own—can earn God’s favor. The Bible is clear: “The flesh profits nothing” (John 6:63). But when I embrace this reality, I find freedom in His sufficiency.
The Cross: Death to the Old
After denying ourselves, Jesus calls us to take up our cross daily. In His day, the cross wasn’t a metaphor; it was an instrument of execution. When Jesus spoke of the cross, He was calling His followers to a radical confession: death to the self-life.
This can feel daunting, but here’s the incredible grace of the cross: Jesus already carried it for us. On the cross, He bore the penalty for our sins, and through His death, our old selves were crucified with Him:
"Knowing this, that our old man was crucified with Him” (Romans 6:6).
The cross isn’t just a place of death; it’s also the doorway to life. When we take up our cross daily, we’re reminded that the old has gone, and the new has come. It’s a daily declaration that our identity is no longer found in Adam but in Christ.
Boasting in the Cross
Paul captures this beautifully in Galatians 6:14:
"God forbid that I should glory except in the cross of our Lord Jesus Christ, by whom the world has been crucified to me, and I to the world."
The cross frees us from the world’s values and expectations. It allows us to live in the power of God’s grace, not in the limitations of our flesh. Each day, as I take up my cross, I’m reminded that I don’t have to strive, prove, or measure up. The work is finished.
Reflective Takeaways
Deny Yourself: What areas of your life are you still holding onto? How might Jesus be inviting you to let go and trust Him instead?
Take Up Your Cross: Each day, remember that your old self is crucified with Christ, and you are free to live in His resurrection power.
Boast in the Cross: Reflect on the freedom and grace that flow from the cross. How does it reshape your perspective on the world and your identity?
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for the cross—where my old self was put to death and Your grace was made available to me. I thank you for teaching me to deny myself, take up my cross daily, and walk in the freedom You’ve given me. May I boast only in the cross, resting in the finished work of Christ and living in the power of Your resurrection. Lead me today as I follow You. Amen.
What about you? How has the cross changed your daily walk with Jesus? I’d love to hear how you’re experiencing His grace in the midst of surrender.