Scripture Reading: Luke 9:1-27, John 12:23-26, Philippians 2:5-8
Have you ever been in a situation where you had to depend on someone else? I remember tearing my Achilles tendon and needing surgery to repair it. When I got home, I was told to lie flat on my back with my leg propped up for eight days. I felt helpless and had to depend on my amazing wife for almost everything. Dependence does not come naturally to us.
Luke 9 begins with Jesus sending out the twelve apostles with surprising instructions: Take nothing with you—no staff, no bag, no bread, no money, and no extra clothes. They had no idea what they would face. Yet Jesus intentionally stripped away every earthly source of security to teach them one foundational lesson: dependence.
A few verses later, that lesson is reinforced. Faced with a crowd of more than 5,000 men—likely 15,000 or more people, including women and children—the disciples wanted to solve the problem themselves by buying food. Instead, Jesus took five loaves and two fish, blessed them, and fed everyone until they were satisfied. Again, Jesus was teaching His disciples that His mission is accomplished not through human sufficiency but through complete dependence on Him.
These moments prepare us for one of Jesus’s clearest descriptions of discipleship in Luke 9:23. Dependence on Christ is not merely a feeling. It is a way of life.
First, a disciple denies self. This means rejecting a life centered on personal comfort, ambition, and
control. Instead of asking, “What do I want?” the disciple asks, “What does Christ desire?” Following Jesus is not adding Him to our plans; it is surrendering our plans to Him. Self and Savior cannot occupy the throne of our hearts at the same time.
Second, a disciple takes up the cross daily. Jesus calls us to embrace the cost of following Him every single day. The cross represents surrender, sacrifice, and even suffering. Whether we experience rejection, persecution, or simply the daily challenge of obeying Christ over our own desires, we continue to carry our cross because Jesus is worth following.
Finally, a disciple follows Jesus continually. Following is an ongoing pursuit, not a one-time decision. The language Jesus uses points to continual action. We do not follow Christ only at church, a conference, or during a quiet time. We follow Him in our homes, workplaces, conversations, decisions, and relationships. Every day becomes another opportunity to walk where He leads.
Luke 9 reminds us that true discipleship is not about becoming more self-sufficient; it is about becoming more dependent on Jesus. As we deny ourselves, carry our cross, and continually follow Him, His life becomes increasingly visible through ours.
So ask yourself: Where am I relying on my own strength instead of Christ’s? What part of my life have I refused to surrender? If someone observed my daily life, would they clearly recognize the marks of a disciple—someone who depends on Jesus more than on themselves?
—Jameson Barker
Leave a Reply
17 thoughts on "Take Up Your Cross"
Today’s reading was a good reminder that following Jesus means surrendering control and learning to depend on Him instead of always trying to figure everything out on my own. I can be guilty of wanting to have a plan and know how things will work out, but God calls me to trust Him and follow where He leads, even when I don’t have all the answers. I want my life to reflect that kind of dependence on Him, not just in the big decisions but in the everyday moments, too.
“If someone observed my daily life, would they clearly recognize the marks of a disciple—someone who depends on Jesus more than on themselves?”
– – –
This is the question for me today. My one desire is to reflect Jesus in everything I do, in all that I am, to depend on Him more than on myself.
.
I strive to surrender all, die to self daily and radiate Christ. But far too often I am misunderstood and misjudged. And then I come completely undone, because all I ever wanat to be is a light for Jesus Christ. I long to be like Him, to have His mind, to love as He loved to be a reflection of Him.
.
I would never trade it for anything, but ministry is hard and can be a very lonely place. – – that is why I cherish this community so much. Thank you for being here every day.❤️
– – –
@Teresa Cooper Donley – I am so sorry for your loss. May God comfort you and give you peace concerning the fact that you didn’t get to see him before he passed. ❤️
@Traci Gendron – continued prayers for you my dear sister. I can’t imagine losing a child. But I will say that your faith through that journey has been such a testimony and encouragement to me. Your faith stood strong when the heavy winds blew. The gift of God’s grace was clearly visible. ❤️
This was a great devo! Thank you Jameson! “ We do not follow Christ only at church, a conference, or during a quiet time. We follow Him in our homes, workplaces, conversations, decisions, and relationships. Every day becomes another opportunity to walk where He leads.” Lord help me to surrender to you daily and follow where you lead. Make me sensitive to the promptings of your Holy Spirit. Amen.
❤️
“Dependence on Christ is not merely a feeling. It is a way of life. . . Following is an ongoing pursuit, not a one-time decision.“
.
“If someone observed my daily life, would they clearly recognize the marks of a disciple—someone who depends on Jesus more than on themselves?”
.
Thank you, Jameson Baker for these tough, but important, questions to ask myself. Will be chewing on them for a while!
.
TERESA COOPER DONLEY- so sorry for your loss. Praying the Lord surrounds you and your family with comfort and peace.
Oh, and CEE GEE thanks. I don’t have those options on my devices. :-)
❤️
Heard this point from a Max Lucado minute on the radio before scooting out to work – Jesus did not have to use the loaves and fish presented, He could have made fish and bread rain down like the manna in the wilderness, but He chose to use what was available. Adds lots of extra perspective to ponder, does it not? Like when I want to say I don’t have this gift or that resource…. And that He wants to include us in blessing others… And, etc. etc.
I love Max, and hope you all have a blessed day!
❤️
Lessons on dependence … I don’t think I’ve looked at these events that way before.
.
Vs 20a He said to them, “But who do you say that I am?”
.
Who do I say that He is? Who does my life tell you that He is? Jesus, sure, but is He more than just a name in my life?
My Savior? Lord of my life? My daily guide and shepherd? Am I drawing attention to myself or to Christ?
.
VICKY SPIES ❤️
DAPHNE ADDISON ❤️
B ❤️
TRICIA C ❤️
MERCY ❤️ praying for complete healing!
CEE GEE ❤️
❤️❤️❤️
So ask yourself: Where am I relying on my own strength instead of Christ’s?
.
This question immediately had me singing “I need thee oh I need thee, every hour I need Thee.. bless me now my Saviour, I come to Thee.. ”
.
This is the truthvof my life, my being and absolutely my song..
I can do nothing apart from God.. I may still fall to default at times, whonam I kidding, most times…
.
BUT GOD..
.
He lifts me up, dusts me down, and puts me back on the right path, yes, carrying my cross..
As the song goes, ‘There is nowhere I ‘d rather be, than in Jesus’s love..’
.
Indeed, set a fire down in my soul, that I can’t contain, and can’t control, Lord God, help me to carry my cross with and in the truth of who I am, nothing, without my reliance on You, every minute of every day.
Let me be brave to ask the question, not what I want, but what does Jesus want of me.
I pray Lord God, that my life may reflect how much I look to you daily in the small and the big of life’s challenges and joys.,
Lord God, thank you for the cross, and the gift of life it affords me in you, thank you. in Jesus’s name I pray,
.
AMEN.
.
Happy Thursday my dears..covered as always in love, hugs, and prayers..❤️❤️❤️❤️❤️
.
Being collected shortly to attend the wedding of one of Julees friends.. I get to represent her, but i also get to carry the gift of ‘honorary mother of the bride..’
Precious, right?
God is good, Amen❤️
Oh what a sweet blessing Tina! I imagine it will be bittersweet for you, but I know you will honor God in it.
The question that stands out to me is: Do people see my dependence on Jesus when they observe my daily life…. That’s one to keep front and center all day.
Prayers for your special event today!
“Let me be brave to ask the question, not what I want, but what does Jesus want of me.”
Do I have the courage??
.
What an honor! Praying for safe travels and a wonderful day of celebration and remembrance, sister ❤️
How sweet :-)
Hope you have a great time!
Thank you Tina ❤️
What a wonderful opportunity and honor!…And to be able to represent Julee. I know it will be bittersweet as your Julee is not able to be there. May your day be blessed and full of joy as you participate in this special moment. ❤️