Devotional
"Deny Yourself" — The Call to Pick Up a Cross and Mean It Literally
Jesus told His followers to deny themselves, pick up a cross, and follow Him. Not a metaphor for skipping dessert. A cross — the thing people died on. The words have been softened into a phrase for minor inconvenience, but the crowd He said it to knew exactly what was meant. And what He's offering on the other side of it is the part we usually skip.
devotional hard sayings Jesus
Devotional
"You Have to Hate Your Family" — The Jesus Quote Most Bible Studies Soften
Jesus looked at a crowd of thousands and told them to hate their parents, their spouses, their children — or they couldn't follow Him. The usual move is to reach for the softer translation and move on quickly. But the word He chose was deliberate, and the reason He chose it is the part that actually sets people free.
devotional hard sayings Jesus