Are We Worthy of Jesus?

"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."

Lk.14:26

This seems to be a harsh statement - a demanding statement, and it is. It is a fact, that if you are faced with a choice between loyalty to HIM and loyalty to your father or mother, sister or brother, you must choose Jesus. As His disciples have said before us, "Master, this is a difficult saying, who can hear it?" (Jn.6:60)  All of the disciples of Jesus were faced with this choice, and we are given records of the reactions of two of them. Judas was subjected to this choice and chose his own interests. When his interests went awry and he realizes what serving his own interests had fostered, he still serves his own interests by taking his own life.  Peter is subjected to this choice and chooses his own interests. After Jesus is arrested and taken to the High Priest, Peter is in the outer courtyard warming his hands by the fire. Someone says, “Aren’t you one of his disciples?” Peter chose his own interests and denies the Lord. Yet, he sees what his decision fosters and weeps bitterly. He then repents and changes, and becomes the Peter we are familiar with in Acts and the Epistles.

You and I face the same decision every day at school, work, among our friends, even within our families. We love our families - mothers, fathers, children, wives, husbands, etc. We read Lk.14:26 and may think that Jesus appears ruthless as he commands you to give preference to Him over anyone else, including the greatest love of your life, your best friend, even your own mother.

Jesus is not saying we cannot love others or make others a priority in our lives. He is saying though that HE should be your highest priority. Is that so much when we consider that HE gave his life for us?

What are some Signs Jesus may not be the highest priority in my life?

• There are Jesus things and secular things. I can keep them separate.
• TRUTH? Serving God, serving Jesus is a 24/7 life (Rm.12:1,2). When He calls you to serve Him, and it is right at the same time that a family member demands our attention, will you choose HIM over them? 
• I might miss out on something if I make Jesus my highest priority.
• TRUTH? Yes, you are right. You will. If you are choosing the "something" over Jesus, then clearly you DO NOT love Him, or the Father who sent Him (Mt.10:37).
• Two people can share my highest loyalty: Jesus and _________.
• TRUTH? Jesus said, "No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or he will be devoted to the one and despise the other.(Mt.6:24)." 

The scripture states, "And he is the head of the body, the church; he is the beginning and the firstborn from among the dead, so that in everything he might have the supremacy. (Col.1:18)." 

Who or what gets the highest priority in your life?

Jim