A Day in the Life of Jesus
Scripture: Luke 14:25–27
“Anyone who wants to be my follower must love me far more than he does his own father, mother, wife, children, brothers, or sisters—yes, more than his own life—otherwise he cannot be my disciple. And no one can be my disciple who does not carry his own cross and follow me.”
Walking With Jesus Into Costly Discipleship
I often picture the moment described in Luke 14. Jesus was surrounded by great crowds—people caught up in the excitement of His miracles, His teaching, and His compassion. Yet, rather than softening His message to keep them, He turned and gave them the hardest truth they could hear. If you want to follow Me, He said, you must love Me more than your own family, more than your own life. That declaration must have landed like a thunderclap.
I think about how that would sound to us today. We live in a world that prizes family loyalty, personal autonomy, and self-preservation. Jesus’ words cut across all of that. He was not asking His followers to abandon their families or to despise themselves. Instead, He was clarifying what discipleship requires—ultimate allegiance. Our love for Him must be greater than every other love. He must be the center, the focus, the anchor. Everything else, even our dearest relationships, must be held loosely compared to Him.
Carrying the Cross
When Jesus spoke about carrying one’s cross, the people listening knew exactly what He meant. Under Roman rule, criminals condemned to death were forced to carry their own crossbeams to the place of execution. It was a public display of submission and a warning to others. To take up your cross was not a metaphor for inconvenience—it was a declaration of total surrender, even unto death.
That image was jarring, but it was purposeful. Jesus wanted the crowd to count the cost. He was not interested in gathering enthusiastic spectators but in forming committed disciples. He was inviting them into a way of life that demanded everything. I find that sobering, because even as a pastor, I know how easy it is to reduce discipleship to church attendance, good works, or moments of inspiration. But Jesus’ call cuts deeper—it is a call to die to self.
Dietrich Bonhoeffer, who gave his life resisting the Nazi regime, once wrote, “When Christ calls a man, He bids him come and die.” Those words echo Luke 14 with piercing clarity. Bonhoeffer understood that discipleship is not about convenience or cultural comfort but about surrender, loyalty, and courage in the face of sacrifice.
Love Beyond Comparison
I think back to moments when my loyalty to Christ was tested. For example, when ministering to grieving families as a chaplain, I often have to choose words that bring Christ into spaces where His name is not always welcomed. At times, it would be easier to speak vaguely about hope or comfort. Yet, the Spirit compels me to speak His name, because true hope and true comfort cannot be found apart from Him. Those are moments when I have to decide whether I love Christ more than approval, more than ease, more than self-protection.
That is what Jesus means by loving Him more than family or life itself. It’s about ordering our loves correctly. Saint Augustine once taught that sin is often disordered love—loving good things in the wrong way or to the wrong degree. Family is a gift. Life is a gift. But they are not ultimate. Jesus is ultimate. When we put Him first, every other love becomes fuller, richer, and more rightly ordered.
Dedication Over Enthusiasm
Luke tells us that Jesus’ words were aimed at the crowds who were following with surface-level enthusiasm. Enthusiasm is easy. It thrives when the music is stirring, the community is supportive, and the blessings are obvious. But dedication is tested in the silence, the hardship, and the cross-bearing. Jesus was honest with the crowd: discipleship would cost them dearly. Some might turn back when the cost became too high. Others would go deeper, rooting themselves in Him no matter what.
I am often struck by how many times Jesus discouraged “easy believing.” He did not disguise the cost. He told the rich young ruler to sell everything and give to the poor (Luke 18:22). He warned that foxes had dens and birds had nests, but the Son of Man had nowhere to lay His head (Luke 9:58). Again and again, He reminded us that following Him is not a path of comfort but of commitment.
What Does Total Submission Look Like Today?
So how do we live this out in our own lives? We may not face Roman crosses, but we are called to crosses of our own—choices that test our loyalty to Christ. For some, it may mean risking career advancement because we refuse to compromise integrity. For others, it may mean being misunderstood by family when we choose to live by Scripture. For still others, it may mean sacrificing financial comfort to serve God’s kingdom.
I think of missionaries who leave everything familiar behind to serve in difficult places. I think of believers in countries where faith in Christ brings persecution or imprisonment. And I think of the countless quiet sacrifices made by ordinary Christians every day—choosing forgiveness over resentment, service over self-interest, truth over compromise. Each of these is a way of taking up the cross.
And yes, Jesus asks the haunting question: “Have you dedicated your life to Me?” I cannot answer that lightly. It is a question that pierces my heart and requires daily renewal of my “yes.” Discipleship is not a one-time pledge but an ongoing surrender.
Encouragement in the Journey
The beauty of Jesus’ call is that while it is costly, it is also life-giving. In losing our life for His sake, we find it (Matthew 16:25). In surrendering our control, we discover His strength. In prioritizing Him above all else, we receive Him—and He is the greatest treasure.
I find great encouragement in Hebrews 12:2: “Let us fix our eyes on Jesus, the pioneer and perfecter of faith. For the joy set before Him He endured the cross, scorning its shame, and sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.” Jesus does not ask us to go anywhere He has not gone first. He bore His cross for us. Now, in His grace, we bear ours for Him.
As you step into today, may you hear Jesus’ invitation not as a burden but as a gift. He asks for all of you, but in return He gives all of Himself. May your heart be steady, your love be undivided, and your steps be faithful as you walk with Him. And may you discover the joy that only comes through total submission to the One who gave everything for you.
For further reflection, consider this resource: Crosswalk – What It Really Means to Take Up Your Cross
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