Teenside Daily Devotional
4/30/20
Read Matthew 8:18-22.
My first thought whenever I read this passage is “Why is Jesus being so harsh?” These two men just wanted to follow Jesus, but he responded with things that probably made them want to leave. Was he actually being harsh to them, or is that simply how we first read it?
Jesus responded to the scribe honestly. During his three years of ministry, Jesus and his disciples were nomads, constantly wandering from town to town sharing the true meaning of the Law and Prophets. This scribe most likely interpreted being his disciple as subscribing to a belief. However, Jesus saves this man a lot of heartache by setting this straight. He describes a situation that doesn’t sound very comfortable and doesn’t leave much room for hesitation. The scribe would have to give up everything that he had to follow Jesus because Jesus wasn’t sticking around.
To the second man, Jesus sounds much more harsh. Why can’t the guy just bury his dad? Jesus was not forbidding the man from burying his father [some interpretations hold that the man’s father was merely close to death and not actually dead yet]. He was driving home the point that following him must be unconditional. We cannot say “I will follow you, Jesus, but I’m gonna do this one thing first.” Following Jesus is a decision to be made now. It is a decision you have to keep making each and every day. And anything that hinders you from following Jesus completely, whether that is a relationship, a habit, or doubt, must be cast off. Jesus has to be above all else.
Not only was Jesus very blunt with these men about what it would take to follow him, but he does the same for us! Being a disciple of Christ is not a weekend job. It is not a joke. It has everything to do with your current, physical life and your eternal, spiritual life. It is a difficult task to make following Jesus the most important thing in our life, but that is what we are called to do. If this passage says anything, it is that there are no exceptions! Cast off the things holding you back from fully experiencing a relationship with him!
Questions:
*Take a moment to journal these questions. Write down your thoughts, questions, and concerns. Then date your entry. One of the coolest things is being able to look back and see how God came through for you.*
*If this question is hard for you and you’re battling if it’s worth it, I would encourage you to talk to a mentor. Ask what they have had to give up in order to follow Jesus daily. Ask if they would go back and change this decision or if it ended up being worth it.*
Prayer: Spend some time praying about the things you journaled. Ask Jesus to show you what it would look like to follow Him unconditionally. Pray that, as He opens your eyes to the things that hinder following Him unconditionally, you would see your need to let go of those things. It’s worth it. Every time. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Song: I Have Decided (Live) - Elevation Worship
Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/169Fs68hROYRdS362T8D9w
Read Matthew 8:18-22.
My first thought whenever I read this passage is “Why is Jesus being so harsh?” These two men just wanted to follow Jesus, but he responded with things that probably made them want to leave. Was he actually being harsh to them, or is that simply how we first read it?
Jesus responded to the scribe honestly. During his three years of ministry, Jesus and his disciples were nomads, constantly wandering from town to town sharing the true meaning of the Law and Prophets. This scribe most likely interpreted being his disciple as subscribing to a belief. However, Jesus saves this man a lot of heartache by setting this straight. He describes a situation that doesn’t sound very comfortable and doesn’t leave much room for hesitation. The scribe would have to give up everything that he had to follow Jesus because Jesus wasn’t sticking around.
To the second man, Jesus sounds much more harsh. Why can’t the guy just bury his dad? Jesus was not forbidding the man from burying his father [some interpretations hold that the man’s father was merely close to death and not actually dead yet]. He was driving home the point that following him must be unconditional. We cannot say “I will follow you, Jesus, but I’m gonna do this one thing first.” Following Jesus is a decision to be made now. It is a decision you have to keep making each and every day. And anything that hinders you from following Jesus completely, whether that is a relationship, a habit, or doubt, must be cast off. Jesus has to be above all else.
Not only was Jesus very blunt with these men about what it would take to follow him, but he does the same for us! Being a disciple of Christ is not a weekend job. It is not a joke. It has everything to do with your current, physical life and your eternal, spiritual life. It is a difficult task to make following Jesus the most important thing in our life, but that is what we are called to do. If this passage says anything, it is that there are no exceptions! Cast off the things holding you back from fully experiencing a relationship with him!
Questions:
*Take a moment to journal these questions. Write down your thoughts, questions, and concerns. Then date your entry. One of the coolest things is being able to look back and see how God came through for you.*
- What does it look like to follow Jesus unconditionally?
- Is there a relationship, a habit, or doubt that holds you back from following Jesus unconditionally? Is there something Jesus would call out in your life if you asked to follow Him? (This could refer to the initial commitment to follow Christ but, if you already made that choice, apply this question to following Jesus daily.)
- What would it look like for you to let go of the things that are holding you back? Is it easy or hard to trust that giving up those things is worth it?
*If this question is hard for you and you’re battling if it’s worth it, I would encourage you to talk to a mentor. Ask what they have had to give up in order to follow Jesus daily. Ask if they would go back and change this decision or if it ended up being worth it.*
Prayer: Spend some time praying about the things you journaled. Ask Jesus to show you what it would look like to follow Him unconditionally. Pray that, as He opens your eyes to the things that hinder following Him unconditionally, you would see your need to let go of those things. It’s worth it. Every time. (Hebrews 12:1-3)
Song: I Have Decided (Live) - Elevation Worship
Spotify Playlist: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/169Fs68hROYRdS362T8D9w
Posted in Teenside
Recent
Archive
2021
January
Bible Reading Plan Week 2 Day 1Bible Reading Plan Week 2 Day 2Almost HomeBible Reading Plan Week 2 Day 3Bible Reading Plan Week 2 Day 4In Conjunction With OthersBible Reading Plan Week 2 Day 5Bible Reading Plan Week 3 Day 1Bible Reading Plan Week 3 Day 2A Unique CityLove Stronger Than EvilBible Reading Plan Week 3 Day 3Bible Reading Plan Week 3 Day 4Studies In PsalmsQuiet RestBible Reading Plan Week 3 Day 5
2020
March
St. Patrick and the Presence of GodAt Home Date NightThe Goodness of a PandemicCommuning ApartFrom the Childrens Library- The Lost LambWeekly Ministry UpdateThe Promises of God - Day OneTeenside Daily DevotionalCollegeside Care GroupsTeenside Daily DevotionalImmunity Boosting TipsThe Promises of God - Day 2Self Care ResourcesKidside Quarantine ReportBuilding a Family Mission StatementThe Promises of God - Day 3Teenside Daily DevotionalFrom The Children's Library - Good, Good FatherTeenside Daily DevotionalTeenside Daily DevotionalCelebrate Recovery - HopeTeenside Daily DevotionalQuarantined TogetherTeenside Daily Devotional
April
Teenside Daily DevotionalRest and RiseReflections on the Serenity Prayer - Part 1The Promises of God - Part 4Teenside Daily DevotionalReflections on the Serenity Prayer - Part 2Teenside Daily DevotionalFrom The Children's Library - God Made You SpecialTeenside Daily DevotionalTales From The Trail: #1 Hope Springs Forth From Human HeartsTales from the Trail: #2 The Last Supper and the Banquet to ComeTeenside Daily DevotionalCelebrate Recovery - Stay ConnectedTales From The Trail: #3 Lead With The TowelTeenside Daily DevotionalThe Promises of God - Day 5Teenside Daily DevotionalTales from the Trail: #4 Lonely Night in the GardenLimit Your WorryTales from the Trail: #5 Peter, O PeterThe Promises of God - Day 6Teenside Daily DevotionalTales from the Trail: #6 The Friday We Call GoodTeenside Daily DevotionalTales from the Trail: #7 The Tomb is FullTeenside Daily DevotionalTales from the Trail: #8 So It Isn’t FinishedFrom The Children's Library - God Gave Us EasterTeenside Daily DevotionalCelebrate Recovery UpdateYour Best Night InThe Promises of GodTeenside Daily DevotionalTeenside Daily DevotionalHard TimesFamily ResourcesThe Promises of God - Day 8Teenside Daily DevotionalTeenside Daily DevotionalRestTeenside Daily DevotionalThe Promises of God - Day 9Teenside Daily DevotionalTeenside Daily DevotionalSeeking Wisdom From GodThe Grace ChallengeApril ImpressionsTeenside Daily DevotionalTeenside Daily DevotionalPicnic DatePromises of God - Day 10Kidside Focus VideosFrom The Children's Library - The Rainbow FishTeenside Daily DevotionalCelebrate Recovery - Online Meeting NightsTeenside Daily DevotionalWeekly ChallengeTeenside Daily DevotionalGuard Your HeartTeenside Daily DevotionalKidside Worship At HomeTeenside Daily Devotional
May
Teenside Daily DevotionalFrom The Children's Library - Ernie's Little LiesTeenside Daily DevotionalHeartfelt Friends UpdateKidside Children's LessonTeenside Daily DevotionalWeekly ChallengeWorry, Worry, Worry!Teenside Daily DevotionalThe Promises of God - Day 11Journey To The Battlefield Daily DevotionalRestoring Our Mind And SpiritTeenside Daily DevotionalThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 2Teenside Daily DevotionalTeenside Daily DevotionalTeenside Daily DevotionalLetter From Allie GuinnKidside Children's LessonI Want To Hold Your HandTeenside Daily DevotionalLetter From Cameron ReedPreschool Memory Verse and Prayer - May 2020Teenside Daily DevotionalThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 3Testimony TuesdayElementary Memory Verse and Prayer - May 2020Letter From Elizabeth WillmoreBuilding On The RockTeenside Daily DevotionalTeenside Daily DevotionalThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 4Heartfelt Friends InvitationLetter From Hannah ClarkLetter From Josh BunnerMarriage In QuarantineThe Lord Heals The Broken-HeartedTeenside Daily DevotionalLetter From Rachel StokesTeenside Daily DevotionalKidside Children's LessonWe Are Weak, But He Is StrongTeenside Daily DevotionalTeenside Daily DevotionalThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 5Meeting Updates and Staying ConnectedThinking Out Loud On Evangelism, Part 1Teenside Daily DevotionalTeenside Daily DevotionalThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 6Teenside Daily DevotionalThinking Out Loud On Evangelism, Part 2The Path's Of GodKidside Children's LessonThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 7Strength In GodIntern IntroductionsLearning To Comfort Others
June
Kidside Children's LessonGratitude To GodOur Last HomeThe Problem of FearKidside Children's LessonMy Times In Your HandThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 8The KingThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 9The Reins In God's HandsKidside Children's LessonGod Our FatherMeeting Night Begins June 23rdLetter To The Philippians, Part 10Gone To GloryThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 11Falling Out of BedKidside Children's LessonMeeting Night Is Back!A Clean HomeFellowship 5KThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 12Standard Operations Resume July 1stFriendship In MarriageFaith Through Our FathersKidside Children's LessonGood Old DaysThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 13
July
The Ring Of SonshipHelp Lord!Kidside Children's LessonA Recipient Of GraceNew Encourager CoachThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 14Jesus Paid The PriceToo Much Stuff!Kidside Children's LessonThe Mistake of Forgetting GodIt Starts With MeWho Holds Your HandsBeing Grateful/ThankfulSeeing A SermonFriendship In MarriageA Place of Quiet RestKidside Children's LessonMinistry Update From Andrew JonesLight It Up With PraiseThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 15Respond or React?Are You Bearing Good Fruit?Special DeliveryKidside Children's LessonThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 16God's Word Survives
August
Kidside Children's LessonWhat Will Your Legacy Be?The Letter To The Philippians, Part 17Blessed AssuranceCotton Candy vs. TruthTomato: A Fruit or Vegetable?Kidside Children's LessonRepenters Must RepentSitting At The Feet Of JesusPreparing To MoveKidside Children's LessonTrappedClean Hands, Pure HeartReturn To Combined Children's Worship And FocusThe Letter To The Philippians, Part 18Spiritual VisionKidside Children's LessonOur Final HomeLeads Us In TriumphsActs: The Gospel In MotionTests For A Little WhileKidside Children's LessonThe Lord Over Fear
September
Brotherly WisdomActs: The Gospel In MotionVictory Over Peer PressureMore Than A Religious SpeakerKidside Children's LessonInstant ReplayActs: The Gospel In MotionOne of Man's Greatest FearsVictory LapSelfiesKidside Children's LessonThe Matter of DistanceBe There In Calm And ChaosActs: The Gospel In MotionBroken UnityWeekly CheckupKidside Children's LessonThe Light Of SalvationDid Jesus Really Do That?NicknamesThe Ways Of GodThe Riches of GodActs 3: The Gospel In MotionCagesWhat Do You Desire From God
October
Evidence For The BibleAccurate DirectionsKidside Children's LessonSuch Were Some Of YouMind ControlKidside Children's LessonIs Your Name Written There?Sincere PrayerThe Spirit Is HoveringKidside Children's LessonLiving WaterFaith In An Invisible GodDigging Deeper: Personal Study For ActsSpirit-Filled PreachingKidside Children's Lesson