The Priority Position God Requires

Scripture: Luke 14:25-26

Now large crowds were going along with Him; and He turned and said to them, “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.”

Insights: In chapter 13 the Scriptures tell us that Jesus is now heading toward Jerusalem and we know it is for the express purpose of giving His life for ours.  He is going to make payment for our sin problem.  From that moment in 13 until today’s verses Jesus is going into villages and cities along the way teaching and healing.  Then in verse 16-24 of chapter 14 Jesus tells the parable of the banquet.  The purpose of that parable is to let everyone know that salvation is for ALL people, Jew and Gentile alike.  Jesus was at a banquet when He told that parable and as He was leaving the large crowd, which had most likely been waiting and had heard the parable, began to follow Him.  Jesus “turned” and faced them.  In other words, He stopped and turned around and looked at them.  He then proceeds with the verses we will investigate this week.  It is important to remember the context of what Jesus has just finished teaching: the Gospel is for EVERYONE.  Now, however, right out of the shoots, Jesus says in modern day vernacular, “If you are going to be My disciple, I MUST come first.  I occupy the priority position in your life.”  Is Jesus telling us that because He has become our first love that we are to actually hate everyone else?  Obviously not.  In fact, when we put Jesus in the proper priority position of first place, our ability to love everyone else is greatly enhanced.  The problem, however, is a great number of western “Christians” have lost their first love.  Family, friends, and frivolity have taken the priority position in our lives and we give Jesus the leftovers.  If it is convent and nothing better comes along, then we will give Jesus some time.  According to this passage, one cannot be His disciple if that is his or her attitude.  So, Beloved, let us surrender everyone and everything to Jesus and let’s put Him first in the priority position of our lives.

Questions:

1. Is there anything in your life battling for the first place in place of God?
2. Are you willing to repent of such a contest and turn with your whole heart to God?

Prayer: Father, forgive me for the times I place other people, things, events, and the like before You.  I desire you to be my all in all.  Fill me with Your grace that I may adore You and You alone.  Amen.