Have you ever started something and then realized it was harder than you expected?

Maybe it was a job, a project, or a commitment you made. At first, it seemed manageable. But once you got into it, you realized it would require more time, more effort, and more sacrifice than you originally thought.

I find that this is true for so many things in life. I think organizing the closet will take an hour or two. Then, 5 hours later, I’m only half-way through.

Sometimes following Jesus can feel that way.

In this passage, several people come to Jesus and express a desire to follow Him. That sounds like a good thing. But Jesus responds in a way that may seem surprising.

He doesn’t make it sound easy.

• He speaks about uncertainty.
• He speaks about priorities.
• He speaks about commitment.

Why?

Because following Jesus is not casual or easy.

It is not something we add on to the rest of our lives when it’s convenient. It is not just one priority among many. Following Jesus is a reordering of everything.

Jesus is helping them—and us—understand what it means to truly follow Him. He is not trying to push people away. He is calling them to see the reality.

To follow Jesus means:

Putting Him above comfort, convenience, and even above the most important relationships in our lives. In Luke 14:26, Jesus said,

“If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.”

He’s not saying to despise your family. He’s saying that you put Him first in all things, even if that means going against what your family says, the traditions you have, or even what the “safest” path for your life may appear to be.

That can sound overwhelming. And in many ways, it is.

Left to ourselves, we do not follow Jesus perfectly. Our hearts are divided. We want to follow Him, but we also want to hold on to control, security, comfort, and the things of this world.

That’s where the Gospel comes in. Because the good news is not that we have perfectly followed Jesus. The good news is that Jesus has perfectly followed the will of His Father—for us.

As we saw yesterday, Jesus set His face toward Jerusalem. He did not turn back. He did not hesitate. He did not get distracted. He endured pain, mockery, and injustice. He continued forward all the way to the cross to accomplish our salvation. And through Him, we are forgiven.

That changes how we hear His call.

We are not trying to earn His love by following Him perfectly. We already have His love through what He has done for us. Now, as forgiven children of God, we follow Him.

Following Jesus is costly. But it is also life-giving. Because the One we follow is the One who gave His life for us. Or, as Peter put it,

“Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life, and we have believed, and have come to know, that you are the Holy One of God.” – John 6:68

Let’s pray…

Heavenly Father,

Following Your Son is not always easy. We confess that our hearts are often divided and that we do not always put You first. Thank You for sending Jesus, who faithfully followed Your will all the way to the cross for us. Forgive us, strengthen our faith, and help us to follow Him with trust and perseverance.

Amen.

As part of your devotion time, I encourage you to also pray for at least some of the following:

• Your family
• Your local church
• Your pastor
• Some of your fellow church members
• The people on your B.L.E.S.S. list
• Your country and her leaders
• Your community

After praying for these people, you may want to finish your devotion time with the Lord’s Prayer…

Our Father, who art in heaven, hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. They will be done, on earth as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread and forgive us our trespasses as we forgive those who trespass against us. Lead us not into temptation but deliver us from evil. For Thine is the kingdom and the power, and the glory, forever and every. Amen.