This week’s devotions are based on Week 2 of Confessing Christ in a Confused World (WATCH HERE)
Mark 10: 28 Peter said to him, “We have left everything to follow you!” 29 “I tell you the truth,” Jesus replied, “no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for me and the gospel 30 will fail to receive a hundred times as much in this present age (homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and fields—and with them, persecutions) and in the age to come, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.”
Most people have no problem asking Jesus for help.
The harder question is whether we are willing to follow Him.
Peter once reminded Jesus of everything the disciples had left behind. Homes, occupations, security, and familiar routines had all been surrendered to follow their Lord. Peter was not boasting as much as he was wondering whether the sacrifice was worth it.
Jesus assured him that following Him would never be a loss.
That promise still holds true today.
Yet our culture often prefers a Jesus who assists rather than a Jesus who leads. We like the idea of divine guidance when it confirms our plans. We appreciate God’s blessings when they support our goals. But lordship means something deeper.
To confess “Jesus is Lord” means that He does not merely fit into our lives. Our lives belong to Him.
Imagine boarding an airplane. Once the flight begins, passengers do not vote on altitude, route, or destination. They entrust themselves to the pilot because he sees what they cannot see and knows what they do not know.
Faith works much the same way.
We often want God to hand us the controls while He serves as our advisor. Yet Jesus calls us to trust Him enough to let Him lead.
This is not because He desires to take away joy but because He desires to give it.
The Lord who calls us to follow Him is the same Lord who gave His life for us. His authority is not harsh. His rule is not selfish. His commands are not burdensome. The One seated on heaven’s throne is the same One who knelt to wash His disciples’ feet.
That changes everything.
We do not obey Jesus in order to earn His favor. We obey because His favor has already been given through grace. We do not follow Him in hopes that He will love us. We follow because He first loved us.
Every day presents opportunities to surrender control. Sometimes it is through decisions about money, relationships, priorities, or forgiveness. Sometimes it is simply choosing to trust God’s wisdom when our own understanding seems more appealing.
Following Jesus is not always easy.
Neither was carrying a cross.
Yet the path of discipleship always leads us closer to the One who is both Savior and Lord.
Today, ask yourself not merely whether Jesus is helpful, but whether He is Lord.
Because when Jesus leads, He never leads His people astray.
Reflect: What area of your life is most difficult to surrender to Christ’s leadership? How does remembering Christ’s sacrificial love make it easier to trust His authority?
Prayer: Lord Jesus, You are not only my Savior but my Lord. Forgive me for the times I cling to control instead of trusting You. Give me faith to follow where You lead and confidence that Your ways are always good. Shape my heart to gladly submit to Your will, knowing that You love me and gave Yourself for me. Amen.