S – And whoever doesn’t take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. ³⁹ Anyone who finds his life will lose it, and anyone who loses his life because of me will find it.

Matthew 10:38–39 CSB

O – Commentary:

A true disciple must take his cross and follow Jesus (cf. Matt. 16:24). He must be willing to face not only family hatred, but also death, like a criminal carrying his cross to his own execution. In addition, in those days a criminal carrying his cross was tacitly admitting that the Roman Empire was correct in executing its death sentence on him. Similarly Jesus’ followers were admitting His right over their lives. In so doing one would find his life in return for having given it up to Jesus Christ 

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

A – What a foreshadow of Jesus going to the cross!  Crucifixion was not a new concept since it had been used to kill people already. To connect that to following Jesus was challenging and graphic.  Where we don’t see the physical side of it today, we can easily “gloss over” the commitment Jesus is asking of us.  He is asking us to identify and align ourselves with Him even when it costs us our own lives physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually…basically every part of us.  The big question is, “Will we commit all to him?”

R – Heavenly Father, we surrender all of ourselves to you.  Jesus paid the ultimate price for us in giving his own life for our sin and allowing us to have relationship with you.  We gladly give our lives back to you and align with your purpose for our lives.