August 31, 2026
Several people tell Jesus they want to follow Him, but each one discovers that discipleship cannot simply be added to life when convenient. Jesus makes clear that following Him requires a willingness to place His call above competing claims.
Devotional
It’s easy to say we want to follow Jesus when it doesn’t really cost us anything.
Things get harder when being faithful means giving up something we want to hold onto. In Luke 9, Jesus has some tough conversations because He doesn’t pretend that following Him is easy or convenient. He doesn’t promise a faith that fits around all our other priorities. When we follow Him, our priorities change.
This doesn’t mean that family, work, rest, or daily responsibilities don’t matter. In fact, a lot of faithful Christian living happens in those areas. But Jesus tests us when we keep saying, “I’ll follow, but first…” whenever following Him gets hard.
We still have plenty of our own “but firsts.”I’ll forgive, but first they need to apologize.
I’ll give, but first I have to make sure there is plenty left for me.
I’ll serve, but first it needs to fit my schedule.
I’ll welcome that person, but first they need to become more like us.
I’ll follow Jesus, but first He needs to assure me that nothing important will change.
Grace doesn’t shame us for feeling hesitant. Jesus understands how much we cling to what’s familiar. But grace doesn’t let us stay stuck. Christ keeps inviting us to move forward.
Following Jesus isn’t about seeking out hardship. It’s about not letting comfort decide what we think God wants. Sometimes, the most faithful thing we can do is also the most uncomfortable.
The question is not, “Will this cost me anything?”
The question is, “Is Jesus worth following when it does?”
Action
Pay attention today when you find yourself thinking, “I would, but…” Ask whether that hesitation is wisdom or simply resistance to the cost of obedience.
Prayer
Lord Jesus, I want to follow You, but I confess that I often want discipleship on comfortable terms. I hesitate when obedience affects my schedule, pride, money, plans, or sense of security. Give me wisdom to know what You are asking and courage to respond faithfully. Keep me from seeking difficulty for its own sake, but also keep me from using comfort as an excuse to avoid Your call. Let Your grace reorder my priorities until following You becomes more important than protecting what is familiar. In Your name I pray, amen.
Thought for the Day:
Faithfulness is not measured by how little discipleship costs, but by whom I choose to follow.
We often say, “I’ll follow Jesus, but first…” Luke 9 reminds us that discipleship cannot always wait until everything is convenient. Sometimes faithfulness costs something, and grace gives us courage to follow anyway.
