Jesus Wants Our Dedication

There is a great difference between the person who is a true follower of Jesus and the person who isn't. The follower of Jesus is willing to put Jesus first in everything. Note the way Jesus said it 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 who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it." Jesus understands the love for father or mother or son or daughter, or someone else. But he wants us to put Him first in all things.

Preceding this statement, Jesus said, "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and a man's enemies will be those of his own household." Jesus here is not advocating bad relationships in our families; He is simply saying that He must be first in our lives. If that causes a problem with others close to us, then put Jesus first no matter what.

And in fact, being a true follower of Jesus is not going to make us popular with many of our coworkers, friends, acquaintances, and even our family sometimes. Preceding all of this, Jesus said in verse 32, "whoever confesses Me before men, him I will also confess before My Father who is in heaven. But whoever denies Me before men, him I will also deny before My Father who is in heaven." As a follower of Jesus, we must be willing to "step up to the plate"; we must be bold and sometimes be different from others. Yes, this won't be popular, but it will be life-saving in the long run.

Let's all be willing to speak out for Jesus.......and to live for Him....taking up our cross. Have a good week. May God bless you!