Scripture Reading
23 And he said to them all, If any man will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross daily, and follow me.
Devotional Reflection
As Great Lent continues, we may begin to ask:
What is all this discipline for?
• Fasting.
• Restraint.
• Watchfulness.
• Perseverance.
Jesus gives us the answer in one direct and challenging sentence.
The Christian life is not about comfort.
It is about the Cross.
We often imagine crosses we do not have.
But the Cross Christ speaks of is the one already before you.
• The difficult conversation.
• The discipline you resist.
• The habit you must confront.
• The humility you must choose.
To take up the Cross is not to seek suffering.
It is to accept obedience.
Closing Prayer
Lord Jesus,
Teach me to take up my cross daily.
Not with bitterness.
Not with pride.
But with trust.
Help me see the small obediences before me.
Give me strength to follow You, step by step.
And let this Lent draw me closer to Your Cross — and Your life.
In the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit,
Amen.