
God created Human kind, first and foremost, to be in relationship with Him forever. He desires to have a loving, intimate, personal, exclusive partnership with each of us that compares to no other. Reading the gospels and learning directly from Christ as he teaches his disciples is an undeniable source in understanding the depth and brevity of a God first relationship. Matthew 10:37 (NET Version) Jesus says the following: “Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me..."
We all have to ask the question, does Jesus rise to a level in our every day lives and hold the highest of plateaus in our hearts, even surpassing those precious ones we endear here on earth? The Life Application Bible says this regarding Matthew 10:37: " Christ calls us to a higher mission than to find comfort and tranquility in this life. Love of family is a law of God, but even this love can be self serving and used as an excuse not to serve God or do his work." To be candid, I don't normally put much stock in biblical commentary because it's human interpretation and opinion. However, I read this for the first time as I was preparing this blog entry and it honestly confirmed exactly what I've felt the Holy Spirit has been trying to teach me for some time now.
Putting and loving Jesus first is something that most Christians are fond of saying but are we actually doing it? I know in my life this has been a struggle. Life on this earth isn't easy there is so much that comes at us seemingly at warp speed, both good and bad. It is a lot easier to focus on those things we see, hear and experience first hand via our senses day in and day out. Before we know it, and without realizing it, Jesus is pushed aside relegated as an interested bystander.
The question today is as we look at are own lives is Jesus actually first above all others? In essence, are we willing to do all He asks of us, no matter the cost? It's what I ask myself daily and many days I fall short. For those of us who call ourselves Christians, may we strive to Live the Life Jesus has called us all to live.