What Jesus Did! 'First Priority: Following' — Luke 9:59-60

Wednesday, June 24, 2015

Jesus said to another man, "Follow me!" But the man said, "Lord, let me go and bury my father first." But Jesus said to him, "Let the people that are dead bury their own dead! You must go and tell about the kingdom of God."
— Luke 9:59-60 NLT
Illustration of Luke 9:59-60 NLT — "Let the people that are dead bury their own dead! You must go and tell about the kingdom of God."

Key Thought

Following Christ is our first priority. Nothing should stand in our way. Does that mean abandoning our responsibility to our families? Certainly not! God makes clear that how we live in our families is crucial to our discipleship and to our leadership. However, we so often use family concerns to be excuses for not following rather than reconciling family matters with Kingdom values and priorities. Jesus must come first. God and his Kingdom must be THE priority in our families. Our families must see honoring God as the primary value lived out in our own personal lives.

Today's Prayer

Give me wisdom, O God, to make you and your Kingdom THE primary value of my home. Help me demonstrate your compassion and your holy character in my interactions with my loved ones. Help them see me as loyal, faithful, and supportive of them while knowing that my heart's first allegiance is to you. In Jesus' name. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • 1 Timothy 5:8
  • Matthew 10:37
  • Ephesians 6:1-4

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did is a one-year devotional guide through the gospels, using one short passage each day and following the Gospel in consecutive order. Each devotional consists of a passage, reflection and a prayer which opens up the day's scripture and shows how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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