In the 14th chapter of the Gospel of Luke (NKJV), as the large crowds followed Jesus, He shared three ways in which they could not be His disciples.

• Luke 14:26 “If anyone comes to Me and does not hate his father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters, yes, and his own life also, he cannot be My disciple.”
• Luke 14:27 “And whoever does not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple.”
• Luke 14:33 “So likewise, whoever of you does not forsake all that he has cannot be My disciple.”

Does Jesus mean you should literally hate your wife, father, etc.?  No.  He is stressing that you must love Him even more than those in your immediate family.

You may be wondering what it means to “bear your cross.”  The cross was an instrument of death.  It symbolizes the necessity of total commitment to Jesus, even unto death.

Jesus knows you have possessions out of need and desire.  He wants you to live a joy-filled life.  More importantly, He wants you to surrender your life completely to Him.  If a personal possession is getting in the way of your relationship with Jesus, this is the possession He wants you to get rid of.

Following Jesus comes at a cost, and the cost is your life.  Are you willing to surrender all of yourself to the One who died for you?  Are you a disciple of Jesus?

Copyright 2020 Michael Callahan Ministries, LLC