Matthew 7:8

7:8 For everyone who asks ¹  receives, and the one who seeks finds, and to the one who knocks, the door will be opened.

Matthew 10:38

10:38 And whoever does not take up his cross ²  and follow me is not worthy of me.

[7:8]  ¹ sn The actions of asking, seeking, and knocking are repeated here from v. 7 with the encouragement that God does respond.

[10:38]  ² sn It was customary practice in a Roman crucifixion for the prisoner to be made to carry his own cross. Jesus is speaking figuratively here in the context of rejection. If the priority is not one’s allegiance to Jesus, then one will not follow him in the face of possible rejection.