What does the Bible say about taking up one's cross?

In Matthew 16:24, Jesus instructs his disciples that if anyone wishes to follow him, they must deny themselves and take up their cross. This means the Christian life is not about seeking earthly power or gaining worldly pleasures, but about embracing suffering for the sake of Christ and his Gospel. True discipleship requires believers to prioritize Christ above their own desires, taking on the burden of the cross as part of their calling, which can manifest in various forms of suffering and persecution in this world.