Daily Devotional

-April 15, 2021-

Good morning, happy Thursday,

-Jesus Must Be First In Our Lives-

“If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple. And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple. So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

(Luke 14:26-27; Luke 14:33).

In Luke’s account of this Jesus’ words on discipleship, he uses the words “he cannot be My disciple” three times. The title of this passage in Luke 14:26-33 is, “Leaving All to Follow Christ.” To be a disciple, a follower of Christ, we must put Him first before any other person or thing. He will not accept second place in anything. When Luke says that we cannot be His disciple, he means that we cannot be His disciples on our own terms or by own will. His words are strong and clear.

Joshua made a similar statement to the Israelites after they pledged to serve the Lord in Joshua 24:19, “…You cannot serve the Lord, for He is a holy God. He is a jealous God; He will not forgive your transgressions nor your sins.” God is jealous over our affections. There is no room for any idols. Jesus makes three clear statements in these three verses.

• If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life also, he cannot be My disciple – Jesus is not telling us to hate our parents, wives, children, and even ourselves, but not love them more than Him; instead, our love for them will seem like hatred compared to our love for Him. Jesus said in Matthew 10:37, “He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.”

• And he whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple – Bearing Christ’s cross means to identify with Him, endure hardship, and suffer persecution. His cross is our cross and we bear it for Him. Luke 9:23 says, “If anyone desires to come after Me, let him deny himself, take up his cross daily and follow Me.”

• So likewise, whoever of you who does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple – Forsaking all means to leave behind our old life, habits, pastimes, desires, and ways of thinking and living to follow Christ. He is Lord, Master, and King. Yes, He the Boss. He is in control not us.

The song writer Bill Gather wrote, “King of kings, Lord of lords, Jesus is Lord of all; All my possessions and all my life, Jesus is Lord of all.” Can you say that? May the Lord help us to surrender fully to Him and be fully committed to Him and His kingdom. The choice is ours.

Have a blessed day following Jesus as His disciple. Let us put Him first in everything, without reservation or hesitation. Stay safe and healthy.

Dean