“Open Invitation”

Luke 9: 23: “And Jesus was saying to them all, ‘If anyone wishes to come after Me, let him deny himself, and take up His cross daily, and follow Me.’” This sounds like a matter for Peter, John, and the rest of the twelve, doesn’t it? But according to v. 20, Jesus’ disciples were there with Him too, not just the apostles. And look at the modifiers in this passage: to them all; anyone, (v. 23) and whosoever (twice in v. 24, again in v. 26). Total commitment is ground level Christianity for every believer, our response from Day 1, and not just an optional path expected from a few spiritually elite.