Read Matthew 16:21-28
Genre: Gospel
Then Jesus told his disciples, ‘If anyone would come after me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow me.’
Matthew 16:24 (ESV)
What is important about this passage?
Jesus tells his followers that he must die. He also makes it clear to them that to follow Jesus meant giving up your life. His followers understood that to carry a cross meant crucifixion and death.
Read Philippians 2:1-11
Genre: Epistle. This is a letter that was written by Paul to the Christian community in Philippi.
And being found in human form, he humbled himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross.
Philippians 2:8 (ESV)
What is important about this passage?
These are instructions to Christians. Paul reiterates that Christians should follow Jesus’ example. They should “take up the cross and follow [him]”.