Timotheose - A son in the Faith

There is, it seems in this verse three important demands made upon the one who would consider eternal life. Each of which, in turn must be submitted to before a disciple is born.

First the command to 'deny himself' is linked logically and sequentially to the command to 'pick up his cross' which is also inexorably joined to the final order to 'follow Me'. This denial of self must, when read in this manner be a necessary pre-condition of the second AND third commands. In other words it is necessary to deny oneself in order to pick up ones cross and then to follow.

Remembering here that Christ's audience would know full well what the act of picking up of 'ones' cross would mean. First off Christ says it is 'his' cross. Meaning that this cross, this instrument of death was made for 'him', it is tailor made for the would be disciple. It is 'his' death. Secondly when one does shoulder that awful burden there is an inevitability to the destination, there is no turning back until it is done.

Which brings me back to my original point that given this stark fact it becomes necessary, nay absolutely imperative that the one who would follow after the resurrected Son of God be fully aware of the cost, consequence and culmination of his journey before he steps upon this hard path.

And after having considered all of these impossibly hard truths this man, this one who would enjoy life and love everlasting must choose. He must decide, he must make a conscious act of will. He must be obedient to 'the call' knowing full well what this decision means.

He must deny himself his life and die.