People tend to think the New Covenant of Grace began when Jesus was born on Earth. But it only began after Jesus shed his blood on the cross. Think of the 4 Gospels more of the conclusion of the OT, rather than the beginning of the NT, Acts being the book of transition.
When Jesus was walking on Earth, he was there to fulfill the law on our behalf. He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:24, Romans 15:8) All of us Gentiles were not included in his ministry, and we had no right to the covenant (Ephesians 2:11-12)
Thus, when Jesus told his Jewish listeners to take up the cross and follow him, he was preaching the law. But after he died, the way to the Father has now changed. After the Jews rejected him in the beginning of Acts, Paul was raised as our apostle, the apostle to the Gentiles.
And the Holy Spirit reveal to Paul things that Jesus wanted all his believers, Jews and Gentiles to follow (John 16:12-13)
TLDR version: As a Gentile believer, take your doctrine more from Paul's letters, instead of trying to fit the 4 Gospels into the gospel of Grace.
When Jesus was walking on Earth, he was there to fulfill the law on our behalf. He was sent only to the lost sheep of Israel (Matthew 15:24, Romans 15:8) All of us Gentiles were not included in his ministry, and we had no right to the covenant (Ephesians 2:11-12)
Thus, when Jesus told his Jewish listeners to take up the cross and follow him, he was preaching the law. But after he died, the way to the Father has now changed. After the Jews rejected him in the beginning of Acts, Paul was raised as our apostle, the apostle to the Gentiles.
And the Holy Spirit reveal to Paul things that Jesus wanted all his believers, Jews and Gentiles to follow (John 16:12-13)
TLDR version: As a Gentile believer, take your doctrine more from Paul's letters, instead of trying to fit the 4 Gospels into the gospel of Grace.
38 And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me.
Seem to me this verse not say only for Jew need to take the cross and the gentile do not need to take the cross.