First Love, First Place

"Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me." 
Matthew 10:37 (NIV)

Would you accept a marriage proposal that came with this condition: "If I find someone I love more than you, you'll have to leave"?

When I proposed to my beautiful wife Teresa almost five decades ago, I would have never dreamed of making that suggestion. Had I done so, I'm certain I would have remained single—and possibly faced bodily harm!

Yet Jesus doesn't hesitate to establish this condition for anyone wanting to follow Him. His words sound harsh: "If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple" (Luke 14:26, NIV).

What Jesus means isn't literal hatred but relative love. Your love for Him must be so supreme that, by comparison, all other loves—even for family—would seem like hate.

Many believers across the world lose family, friends, jobs or even their own lives for the sake of Christ. I've witnessed Muslims who came to faith in Christ immediately disowned by their families. But the truth remains: Jesus will not take second place to anyone or anything.

But what happens when you love Jesus more than anything or anyone else? When you love Jesus supremely, you actually love others better. The person who loves Jesus best loves others most. Your relationships don't suffer when Christ comes first; they transform into something far better.

Is there someone or something competing with Jesus for first place in your heart? As a disciple, give Jesus the throne that belongs only to Him. Then, watch every other relationship transform through His loving faithfulness.

Prayer: Father, Thank You for Your everlasting love. Forgive me for the times I've placed other loves above my love for You. Help me to love You so completely that all other relationships are transformed by that devotion. In Jesus' Name, Amen.