Norwegian 2018 (Bibelen - Guds Ord Hverdagsbibelen (Hermon Forlag))
Så sa Han til alle som var der: «Den som vil følge Meg, må slutte å tenke på seg selv, og ta opp sitt kors hver dag, og følge Meg. For de som prøver å holde fast på det livet de har, vil miste det. Men de som er villige til å ofre visse ting i livet for Min skyld, vil finne livets egentlige verdi, og de skal bli frelst. For hva hjelper det et menneske om han vinner hele verden, men ender opp meg å miste seg selv? For hver den som skammer seg over Meg eller det Jeg har sagt, han skal Jeg skamme Meg over når Jeg kommer hjem til herligheten i Himmelen til Min Far og de hellige englene. Det er faktisk noen av dere som er her, som ikke skal dø før dere har sett Guds rike med deres egne øyne.»
What Does This Mean?
Jesus tells his followers that to truly follow him, one must prioritize him over themselves, be willing to face difficulties, and remain committed every day. The speaker is Jesus Christ.
Explained for Children
Imagine you want to join a special club where the leader asks everyone to put their favorite toy aside for others and work hard each day to help the team. This verse is like that; it says if you want to follow Jesus, you have to be ready to give up what's easy and do tough things every day.
Historical Background
The verse comes from Luke’s Gospel, written around AD 80-100 for a primarily Gentile audience. The historical context includes the cultural expectations of following a religious leader in first-century Palestine.
Living It Out Today
Imagine you want to start a fitness routine but find it hard to resist junk food and lazy days. This verse encourages you to prioritize your health goals daily, even when it's tough, by reminding yourself that this commitment is about your well-being.
Denying oneself means setting aside personal desires or comforts to prioritize spiritual growth and serving others, as modeled by Jesus.
How can I apply taking up the cross daily?
Taking up your cross daily involves making sacrifices for your faith, like putting effort into prayer, study, and service, even when it's hard or inconvenient.
Is this verse only for Christians?
While the verse is often interpreted by Christians as a call to follow Jesus, its principles of self-sacrifice and perseverance can be applied broadly across different faiths and life journeys.
How does Luke 9:23 relate to modern challenges?
This verse encourages persistence in the face of difficulties, which is relevant today whether you're dealing with personal problems or societal issues that require dedication and sacrifice.