You first!
Do you love self-denial? Do you feel comfortable when you have to live in a victim role? Life is much nicer if you can really enjoy it. On television, I often look at interesting stories about people who sacrifice or make themselves available to others. From the safety and comfort of my own living room, this can be easily observed and experienced.
What does Jesus have to say about that?
Jesus called all the people and his disciples to him and said: “If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself, take up his cross and follow me.” (Mk 8,34).
Jesus begins to explain to his disciples that he will suffer greatly, be rejected, and be killed. Peter is upset by what Jesus is saying, and Jesus rebukes him, saying that Peter is not paying attention to the things of God, but to the things of men. In this context, Christ explains that self-denial is a "thing of God" and a Christian virtue. (Mk 8,31-33).
What does Jesus say? Should Christians not enjoy themselves? No, that's not the idea. What does it mean to deny oneself? Life is not just about you and what you want, but about putting others' interests before their own. Your children first, your husband first, your wife first, your parents first, your neighbor first, your enemy first, and so on.
Taking up the cross and denying yourself is reflected in the greatest commandment of love in 1. Korinther 13What might it be? The person who denies themselves is patient and kind; they are never envious or boastful, never puffed up with pride. This person is not rude and does not insist on their own rights or ways, for Christ's followers are not selfish. They are not resentful and do not dwell on injustice suffered. When you deny yourself, you do not rejoice in injustice, but rather when justice and truth prevail. They, whose life story includes self-denial, are ready to endure everything, come what may, and are also ready to believe the best in every person, hope under all circumstances, and bear all things. The love of Jesus in such a person never fails.
by James Henderson
