Is. 50:5-9; Jas. 2:14-18; Mk. 8:27-35
Jesus then shifts the conversation, calling both the disciples and the crowd to an even more challenging teaching: “Whoever wants to become my follower, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.” This is not an easy message, yet it lies at the heart of the Christian journey—sacrifice, self-denial, and following Christ even when it leads to suffering. In the modern world, where we are encouraged to focus on self-promotion, wealth, and comfort, this call might seem radical.
There are many examples of self-denial and sacrifice they had to make while they were in search of God. Moses’ entire life is a testimony of sacrifice and self-denial. He gave up a life of comfort and privilege as a prince in Egypt to identify with the
Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son Isaac (Genesis 22:1-18) is an incredible example of faith and self-denial. Abraham was ready to give up the most precious thing in his life because of his trust in God. This act of faith echoes Jesus' call to take up our cross—to let go of what is most dear if it stands between us and our obedience to God.
Queen Esther is another powerful example of self-denial in the Old Testament. When her people were threatened with annihilation, Esther risked her life by approaching the king uninvited, a bold act that could have led to her death (Esther 4:16). She was willing to sacrifice her own safety and privilege for the sake of saving her people, embodying the principle of laying down one’s life for others.
Many of the prophets exemplified self-denial by obeying God's call at great personal cost. Jeremiah, known as the "weeping prophet," endured persecution, imprisonment, and public ridicule, yet he continued to speak God's truth to the people of Judah (Jeremiah 20:1-2, 26:7-16). Similarly, the prophet Isaiah, in Isaiah 6, responds to God’s call with “Here I am, send me,” knowing the mission would involve hardship and rejection. The prophets often sacrificed comfort, reputation, and security for the sake of proclaiming God's message.
A compelling example of Christian self-surrender is the life of St. Damien of Molokai, a Belgian priest who dedicated his life to serving the lepers on the island of Molokai in Hawaii.
In the 19th century, leprosy (now known as Hansen's disease) was a feared and misunderstood illness. Those who contracted it were forcibly quarantined on Molokai, an isolated, desolate colony where they were left to fend for themselves. In 1873, St. Damien volunteered to go to Molokai as a missionary, knowing full well that contact with the disease could cost him his life. He was not merely a visitor or a priest passing through—he chose to live among the lepers, caring for them physically, spiritually, and emotionally.
For sixteen years, St. Damien served the lepers, building homes, hospitals, and schools. He bandaged their wounds, dug graves for the dead, and celebrated the sacraments with them, restoring their dignity in a world that had rejected them. His deep compassion and selflessness drew the admiration of many, but it also came at a great personal cost. In 1884, he contracted leprosy himself, yet he continued his work, stating, “I am happy and content, and if I could do it all over again, I would not change a thing.”
St. Damien’s choice to live and eventually die with those he served exemplifies the essence of Jesus’ command to “deny oneself and take up one’s cross” (Mark 8:34). He didn’t seek comfort, recognition, or worldly success but instead chose the path of self-denial to serve the outcast and forgotten. His life is a living parable of the Gospel—surrendering personal desires and safety to bring hope and healing to others.
Damien’s commitment reflects the profound truth of Jesus’ teaching: “Whoever loses their life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 16:25). Though he physically lost his life to leprosy, his legacy lives on, inspiring countless people to embrace a life of service and sacrifice. His canonization in 2009 by Pope Benedict XVI highlights how Damien’s sacrifice embodies the call to imitate Christ’s love by placing others’ needs above our own.
St. Damien's life challenges us today: Are we willing to give of ourselves, even at great personal cost, to serve those who are marginalized and suffering? His example shows that in surrendering our lives for others, we find true purpose, fulfillment, and eternal life in Christ.
In A Tale of Two Cities, Charles Dickens tells the story of Sydney Carton, a man who sacrifices his life to save another. In his final moments, Carton reflects that his sacrifice gives his life meaning: "It is a far, far better thing that I do, than I have ever done." Like Jesus’ call to take up the cross, Carton's decision to give up his life brings redemption not only to others but also to himself.
A powerful contemporary example of someone who forgoes worldly success for higher values is Bryan Stevenson, an American lawyer, social justice activist, and founder of the Equal Justice Initiative (EJI).
Stevenson graduated from Harvard Law School, a path that could have led to a lucrative career in corporate law or prestigious firms. Instead, he chose to dedicate his life to defending the poor, marginalized, and wrongly convicted, particularly those on death row. Through EJI, he has worked tirelessly to challenge racial discrimination in the criminal justice system, fight for the rights of children prosecuted as adults, and provide legal defense to those who cannot afford it.
One of Stevenson’s most well-known cases was that of Walter McMillian, a man wrongly convicted of murder and sentenced to death in Alabama. Stevenson’s relentless efforts helped expose the racial injustice and legal errors in the case, leading to McMillian’s exoneration after six years on death row. Stevenson's work has saved many from unjust executions and brought attention to systemic inequities.
In his memoir, Just Mercy, Stevenson reflects on the personal cost of his work—the emotional toll, threats, and sacrifices—but he believes in the higher value of justice and mercy. He often speaks of the importance of proximity to the suffering and marginalized, saying, "The true measure of our character is how we treat the poor, the disfavored, the accused, the incarcerated, and the condemned."
By forgoing personal wealth and success in favor of fighting for justice, Bryan Stevenson exemplifies the Christian call to surrender worldly ambitions for a higher purpose. His work echoes Jesus’ teaching that “whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me” (Matthew 25:40). His life and work remind us that true success is not measured by wealth or status but by how we serve others, especially the most vulnerable in society.
In today’s world, where many face the tension of job insecurity, health challenges, and the relentless pressure of materialism, Jesus’ call to “deny oneself, take up the cross, and follow me” (Mark 8:34) may seem difficult to apply. However, this call is more relevant than ever, and it challenges us to reconsider what true success and fulfillment look like in a world fixated on personal gain.
One of the first steps we can take is to reassess our values. The world often tells us that success is defined by our job title, income, or possessions. But Jesus invites us to see life through a different lens—where love, service, and compassion matter more than accumulation. This doesn’t mean abandoning all material pursuits but putting them in their proper place. By choosing to live simply and focusing on relationships, generosity, and helping others, we align our lives with the Gospel’s higher values. Even small acts, like donating a portion of our income to charity or volunteering our time, remind us that life is about giving, not just getting.
Following Christ’s call doesn’t always mean grand gestures of sacrifice; it can happen in the ordinary moments of life. We might be struggling with the fear of losing a job, but in that uncertainty, we can practice trusting God, remembering that our identity and worth are not tied to our career but to who we are in Christ. By being willing to put the needs of others—family, neighbors, colleagues—before our own, we “take up the cross” in the daily challenges. In times of health struggles, the call to deny ourselves might mean accepting help from others, offering our suffering to God, and supporting others going through similar challenges.
Practicing self-denial, taking up our cross, and following Jesus in modern life means looking beyond material gain, embracing service and sacrifice in daily life, and trusting in God’s plan for us.
Satish