Definition: Then said Jesus unto his disciples, If any [man] will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.

Explanation: Okay, let’s break down this verse from Matthew 16:24. It's a really important message about following Jesus! Here’s what it means in simpler terms: Basically, Jesus is telling us to prioritize Him above everything else. Let’s unpack it piece by piece: “If any [man] will come after me…” – This refers to anyone who chooses to follow Jesus. It's a broad invitation to someone who wants to connect with him. “…let him deny himself…” – “Denying” means stopping or rejecting something. So, this means to stop being interested in the things that don’t align with Jesus. It’s about setting aside your own desires and focusing on Him. "...and take up his cross...” – This is a very important image. A "cross" represents sacrifice, suffering, and giving up something you want for something greater. It means to willingly put yourself in a position of difficulty or pain to be with Jesus. It’s about accepting that He will sometimes challenge you and make things hard. "...and follow me.” – This is the key instruction! To truly follow Jesus, you must commit to him fully, even when it's difficult. You must actively choose to walk with Him, trust in Him, and live according to His teachings. In a nutshell: Jesus is saying that true loyalty and connection with Him can only be found by choosing to reject everything else – your own desires, your own way of life, and even your own comfort – and fully committing yourself to him. Why is this important? Jesus wants us to be his priority. He doesn’t want us to just sit around and drift; he wants us to actively choose to follow him . Do you want me to: Explain the meaning of any of these parts in more detail? Give an example of how this verse applies to our lives today?