What Does it Mean to Deny Yourself

"Then he said to them all: ‘If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me'" (Luke 9:23).  Who was this one to make such a bold statement? He's identified in history as Jesus of Nazareth, but Nazareth was merely the place where He grew up.  One day, Jesus put the question to His disciples, saying, "Who do people say the Son of Man is?" (Matt. 16:13). Peter answered, "You are the Christ, the Son of the living God" (Matt. 16:16).