S – Calling the crowd along with his disciples, he said to them, “If anyone wants to follow after me, let him deny himself, take up his cross, and follow me. 35 For whoever wants to save his life will lose it, but whoever loses his life because of me and the gospel will save it.

Mark 8:34–35 CSB

O – Commentary: 

Negatively, one must deny himself decisively saying no to selfish interests and earthly securities. Self-denial is not to deny one’s personality, to die as a martyr, or to deny “things” (as in asceticism). Rather it is the denial of “self,” turning away from the idolatry of self-centeredness and every attempt to orient one’s life by the dictates of self-interest. Self-denial, however, is only the negative side of the picture and is not done for its own sake alone.

Positively, one must take up his cross, decisively saying yes to God’s will and way. Cross-bearing was not an established Jewish metaphor. But the figure was appropriate in Roman-occupied Palestine. It brought to mind the sight of a condemned man who was forced to demonstrate his submission to Rome by carrying part of his cross through the city to his place of execution. Thus “to take up one’s cross” was to demonstrate publicly one’s submission/obedience to the authority against which he had previously rebelled.

“Mark,” in The Bible Knowledge Commentary: An Exposition of the Scriptures

A – Moving decisively away from self-centeredness is a battle.  Our human nature is to take care of ourselves first – our desires, interests and needs. Taking up the cross puts the focus on God’s will for all to see.  

R – Lord, I surrender my will to your will today.  You know the things I desire.  Give me the strength and courage to move according to your direction.  Help me to align my desires with yours.