Daily Devotional for Saturday, March 21
Jesus’ Instructions About Discipleship
“And there went great multitudes with him: and he turned, and said unto them, If any man come to me, and hate not his father, and mother, and wife, and children, and brethren, and sisters, yea, and his own life also, he cannot be my disciple. And whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple,” Luke 14:25-27.
As the crowds followed Jesus, many were excited by His miracles and teachings. But Jesus knew their hearts. He was not looking for fans—He was calling followers. So, He turned and spoke words that were both challenging and clarifying. True discipleship, He said, demands absolute loyalty and total surrender. It is not about convenience or comfort; it is about commitment.
When Jesus says we must “hate” our family and even our own lives, He is not calling for literal hatred but rather emphasizing the level of devotion He requires. Our love for Him must be so great that, by comparison, every other relationship—even the dearest ones—takes a lesser place. Discipleship means placing Jesus first, above all else.
Then He adds, “whosoever doth not bear his cross, and come after me, cannot be my disciple” (verses 27). In Jesus’ time, the cross was not just a symbol of suffering—it was a symbol of death. To bear our cross means dying to self, laying down our rights, our pride and our desires daily to follow Jesus fully. It is about choosing His will over ours, no matter the cost.
These are hard words, but they lead to true life. Jesus never promises an easy path, but He does promise His presence, His power, and eternal reward. The call to discipleship is not for the faint of heart, but for those willing to surrender all for the sake of knowing Christ. If we truly want to follow Him, we must count the cost—and still say yes.
TODAY’S THOUGHT
Discipleship is not about convenience—it is about complete devotion. Following Jesus means giving Him first place in everything, no matter the cost.
Steven Ridings