Luke 14, Part 3

Scripture: Luke 14:25-35

Observation: Jesus now turns to His disciples, and advises them that they need to count the cost of following Him, because it won't be easy. Jesus is honest about what is required to be His disciple: He must have our whole heart. That is why He calls for His followers to hate family members and even their own life - because no other relationship can come before our relationship with Jesus. "Carrying our cross" means we can't learn from Jesus if we don't experience hardship. Jesus compares figuring the cost of following Him with preparing for an important project: building a tower or going to war. We must be sure we are willing to give up all to follow Him.

Application: Anything in our life that comes before Jesus will be used by the enemy to bring us down. Whether that is family, wealth, or other interests, when tribulation comes, we may choose to leave Jesus if we aren't fully devoted to Him. We have to follow Jesus exclusively.

Prayer: Lord, You gave Your life for me on the cross. You purchased me with Your precious blood. I belong to You, and I must give myself over to You mind, body, spirit and soul. Do not allow anything to come between me and You. I must love You before I can love anyone else, and I must follow You before I can help anyone else. Lord, be the center of my life. In Your name I pray, Amen.