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To be a Christian, that is, a disciple of Jesus, we must put our relationship with Jesus in a class by itself. Figuratively speaking, our relationships with those we love the most are like hatred compared to our love for Jesus (see Lk 14:26). To be disciples of Jesus, we must take up our crosses daily (Lk 14:27; 9:23). This means that we deny ourselves and lose our lives (Lk 9:23-24) in that we decide to depend totally on Jesus and not on ourselves (see Jn 15:5). To be disciples of Jesus, we must renounce all our possessions (Lk 14:33). We own nothing; the Lord owns everything, including ourselves. We may still appear to own things, as far as the world is concerned. Yet in actuality we are only managing Jesus' possessions. We as His disciples are His slaves (see Col 3:24). To be disciples of Jesus means to love Him with all our hearts, all our minds, all our souls, and all our strength (Lk 10:27). When we give Jesus anything less than everything, our lives become a mockery (see Lk 14:29). Jesus gave all for each of us. Give all to be His disciples. |
