Follow Jesus: Devotions from Time of GraceSample

Follow Jesus with all your heart

John Hart is one of the 56 men who signed the US Declaration of Independence. There were many who tried to stop him from signing. At one point, John had to make a choice between supporting his patriotic beliefs and being by the side of his dying wife and their 13 children. He forsook his family and put his signature on the document. It’s doubtful that everyone would forsake their family the way he did. 

Yet, if you ever have to make a choice between following your family or following Jesus, Jesus expects that you will follow him. “Still another said, ‘I will follow you, Lord; but first let me go back and say goodbye to my family.’ Jesus replied, ‘No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God’” (Luke 9:61,62).

In Jesus’ eyes, not even saying goodbye to a father is sufficient cause to delay in following Jesus. The reason Jesus feels this way is simple. He knows that our families can’t save us from hell or pay our debt to God. 

But Jesus did. In fact, he keeps our families together even beyond death. His sacrificial death assures us that we will be reunited with our fellow believers in heaven.

Use your time with family and friends to celebrate this gift. Gather around God’s Word and encourage one another with his promises so that heartfelt devotion to the Jesus who saves might be the one thing your entire family has in common.