Terms and Conditions

Let’s be honest—how many of us actually read the terms and conditions before clicking “Agree”? Whether it’s downloading an app, signing up for a service, or making a purchase, we often skip over the fine print and just assume we know what we’re getting into.

I remember when my wife and I bought our house. At closing, they handed me a massive binder full of documents to sign. Guess how much of it I read? None. I just signed where they told me and went on my way. But what if I had agreed to something serious, something that could change my life forever, without realizing the cost?

When it comes to following Jesus, we can’t afford to skip over the terms and conditions. Discipleship isn’t a checkbox we mark off; it’s a life-altering commitment. Jesus made the terms crystal clear in Mark 8:34.

• Mark 8:34 – “Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself, and take up his cross, and follow me.”

In that single verse, Jesus lays out three non-negotiable conditions for becoming His disciple. Each one challenges us to rethink our priorities and surrender our lives to Him.

Let’s take a closer look at what it really means to follow Jesus.

The first requirement is self-denial. Jesus said, "Whosoever will come after me, let him deny himself." This isn’t an optional upgrade to Christianity—it’s foundational. Without it, we cannot be His disciples.

But what does it mean to deny ourselves? Does it mean living like a monk, avoiding pleasure, or giving up all modern comforts? Not exactly. Jesus is calling for something much deeper than self-denial—He’s calling for self-dethronement.

To deny ourselves means to step down from the throne of our own lives and surrender control to Jesus. By nature, we want to be in charge. We have dreams, ambitions, and desires that shape our decisions. But Jesus says if we truly want to follow Him, we must surrender our control. We can’t follow Jesus while still trying to lead ourselves.

I know how difficult this can be. Growing up, I dreamed of becoming a sports broadcaster. I worked in radio from the age of sixteen, and by the time I graduated high school, I had an internship offer from ESPN—an opportunity I had worked hard for. But God had other plans. He was calling me into ministry. At that moment, I had to make a choice: Would I deny myself or deny God? Thankfully, I chose to surrender to God’s plan, and I’ve never regretted it.

Now ask yourself: Are you going to deny yourself, or are you going to deny God? There’s no middle ground.

The second condition is to take up your cross. If denying yourself means surrendering control, then taking up your cross means embracing sacrifice.

Too often, we misunderstand this phrase. We say things like, “My back pain is just my cross to bear,” or “Traffic is terrible today—just my cross in life.” But that’s not what Jesus meant. In His day, the cross wasn’t just a religious symbol; it was an instrument of execution. A person carrying a cross was literally walking toward their death.

When Jesus calls us to take up our cross, He’s calling us to a life of complete devotion—no matter the cost. Many of His original disciples would soon experience this reality firsthand. Of the twelve apostles, eleven were martyred for their faith. Peter was crucified upside down. John, the only one to die of natural causes, was exiled for his faith. Jesus was warning them—and us—that following Him could cost us everything.

For some, that cost may come in the form of persecution. For others, it may mean sacrificing personal ambitions, comfort, or relationships.

But Jesus makes it clear: If the cross requires suffering, I will endure it. If the cross requires sacrifice, I will give it. If the cross requires ridicule, I will take it. If the cross requires my life, I will lay it down.

Finally, Jesus gives the third condition: Follow me. This is the essence of discipleship—to follow Jesus wherever He leads.

The Greek word for “follow” carries three key ideas:

• Continual Obedience – Following Jesus is not a one-time decision; it’s a daily commitment. He doesn’t say, “Come to me once,” but rather, “Follow me.” True discipleship is about perseverance, not perfection.

• Imitation – To follow Jesus means to become like Him. We are not just admirers of Jesus—we are called to be imitators. That means loving our enemies, serving with humility, and putting others before ourselves.

• Loyalty – Jesus must be our highest allegiance. There’s no room for divided devotion. He is not a part-time Lord; He is our everything.

Following Jesus isn’t just about saying the right words or going to church. It’s about a life surrendered to Him.

Maybe you’re thinking, That sounds hard. I don’t know if I want to sign up for that. But here’s the good news—Jesus promises that the sacrifice is worth it.

Right after giving these conditions, He makes a powerful statement in Mark 9:1: "Verily I say unto you, that there be some of them that stand here, which shall not taste of death, till they have seen the kingdom of God come with power."

Some of His disciples would soon witness His glory firsthand on the Mount of Transfiguration. They would see a glimpse of His divine power, proving that their sacrifices were not in vain.

When we deny ourselves, take up our cross, and follow Jesus, we don’t lose—we gain. We gain Christ’s power and presence. We gain a purpose greater than ourselves. We may bear the cross now, but we will see His glory forever.

So, will you accept the terms and conditions?
Will you surrender?
Will you trust Jesus with your life?

The decision is yours.