Wednesday, 2nd September 2026

Alex Buabeng-Korsah

TOPIC: THE CROSSS BEFORE COMFORT

THEME SCRIPTURE: “And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.” — Matthew 10:38 KJV

 

PREPARATORY QUESTION 

1. Am I following Christ only when obedience is convenient, or am I willing to follow Him when it costs me something?

 

 

Jesus did not present discipleship as a path of convenience. He presented it as a life of surrender. “He that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.”

The cross represents the death of self-rule. It is the willingness to place Christ’s will above our preferences, ambitions, comfort, and even legitimate desires when they conflict with His purposes.

Many want the benefits of following Jesus without the demands of following Him. We want His promises, but not always His instructions; His comfort, but not His correction; His blessings, but not the surrender required to become His disciples.

Yet Jesus makes discipleship unmistakably clear: take up your cross and follow.

Taking up your cross does not mean seeking suffering or creating problems for yourself. It means accepting the cost of obedience when doing God’s will requires sacrifice. It may mean forgiving when pride demands retaliation, remaining truthful when dishonesty appears profitable, serving when recognition is absent, or walking away from something that compromises your loyalty to Christ.

The cross is not merely something Christ carried for us; it also defines the posture of those who follow Him.

Every day presents a choice: Will I remain in control, or will I surrender to Christ?

True discipleship begins where self-rule ends. The journey may be costly, but it produces a life that is increasingly shaped by the One we follow.

Key Takeaway

Following Christ means surrendering self-rule and choosing obedience, even when obedience carries a cost.

Beloved, do not reduce Christianity to what Christ can do for you. Take up your cross, surrender your will, and follow Him faithfully—especially when it costs you.

Remain blessed. 

 

 

FURTHER READING 

- Luke 9:23–24

- Galatians 2:20

- Philippians 2:5–8

- Romans 12:1–2

- Hebrews 12:1–3

 

 

QUESTIONS TO HELP YOU MEDITATE ON THE WORD 

1. What area of my life am I struggling to surrender to Christ?

2. What does taking up my cross look like in my present circumstances?

3. Am I willing to obey Christ when obedience is costly?

 

PRAYER 

Father, teach me to surrender completely to You. Help me deny self, take up my cross, and follow You faithfully. Give me strength when obedience is difficult and grace to choose Your will above my own. Let my life demonstrate genuine discipleship. In Jesus’ precious name, Amen.

 

One– Year Bible Reading Plan

1 Samuel 15:22–23; Luke 9:23–24