Tuesday Devo
Scripture:
Luke 14:25-27
25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
25 A large crowd was following Jesus. He turned around and said to them, 26 “If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple. 27 And if you do not carry your own cross and follow me, you cannot be my disciple.
Commentary:
14:25 Great crowds continue to follow Jesus (see 4:37).
14:26 If anyone comes to me. Cf. 9:23–24. Those who would be Christ’s disciples must (1) love their family less than they love Christ (14:26); (2) bear the cross and follow Christ (v. 27); and (3) relinquish everything (v. 33). These are complementary ways of describing complete commitment. The first condition for discipleship is to hate one’s father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and life (cf. 18:29; see 6:20–22). “Hating” is a Semitic expression for loving less (cf. Gen. 29:30–31; Deut. 21:15–17; Matt. 10:37).
14:26 If anyone comes to me. Cf. 9:23–24. Those who would be Christ’s disciples must (1) love their family less than they love Christ (14:26); (2) bear the cross and follow Christ (v. 27); and (3) relinquish everything (v. 33). These are complementary ways of describing complete commitment. The first condition for discipleship is to hate one’s father, mother, wife, children, brothers, sisters, and life (cf. 18:29; see 6:20–22). “Hating” is a Semitic expression for loving less (cf. Gen. 29:30–31; Deut. 21:15–17; Matt. 10:37).
Questions:
- Following Jesus comes with a cost of PRIORITY. When Jesus says you must "hate" your family, that word in Hebrew is hyperbole to get your attention. He is trying to wake you up. Jesus must be first in your life. Even above your parents, even above your kids, even above your spouse. If we are going to be faithful followers of Christ, this relationship must come before all others. What relationships in your life can tend to take priority over Jesus? What are the signs that your relational priorities are getting out of whack?
- We can all tend to let GOOD things slip into places of priority over the BEST thing. This is one of those things that happens in our life naturally. We don't accidentally put Jesus first. It takes intentionality and work. Jesus is clearly saying that he is to be in that place of priority over EVERYTHING and EVERYONE else in our lives. Think about your priorities. How do you spend your time? Energy? Conversations? Money? What can you not do without? What makes you grumpy if you miss? What do your actions and habits say about what is most important to you?
Pray:
- That you would love Jesus above everything and everyone else.
- That you would make a habit of examining your priorities on a consistent basis.
This Week's City 7:
Try to commit to memory!
1. Who is Jesus? I believe Jesus is God because Jesus said He is God and proved it by rising from the dead and appearing to His disciples, His brother James, 500 others at one time and Paul.
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
(Mark 3:21; John 8:58, 10:30-33, 14:9-11; Acts 9:1-6; 1 Corinthians 15:3-8; Colossians 1:15-20; Hebrews 1:2-3; James 1:1)
No Comments