Loving Jesus with Our Whole Heart
If you want to be my disciple, you must, by comparison, hate everyone else—your father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even your own life. Otherwise, you cannot be my disciple.”
Luke 14:26 (NLT)
At first glance, Jesus' words in Luke 14:26 feel jarring. Is He really asking us to hate our family and even ourselves? No. Jesus isn’t promoting hatred but is using strong language to emphasize the depth of love and loyalty He calls us to. He’s saying that our love for Him must be so complete and deep that, in comparison, every other affection looks small.
Jesus is not just asking to be part of our lives, He’s calling to be the center of it. Loving Him with all our heart, mind, and soul is not about perfection, but about devotion. We stumble, we fail, but the heart that says, “Lord, I want to love You more today than I did yesterday,” is one that delights Him.
We can't love Jesus perfectly, but we can choose to keep growing in love for Him. It’s the desire, the daily reorienting of our heart toward Him, that marks a true disciple.
First we can spend time in His presence. Make time each day for prayer, Scripture, and quiet reflection. Like any relationship, love grows through time spent together. We are called to obey His Word. Jesus said, “If you love me, obey my commandments” (John 14:15). Our obedience, even in small things, is a practical expression of love. Next, we can serve others in His name. Loving Jesus means loving those He loves. When we serve others, forgive, encourage, and give generously, we reflect His heart. And finally, we should talk about Him.
Share what Jesus means to you. Speaking His name with joy and gratitude is a powerful way to express your love for Him.
Lord Jesus, You are worthy of all my heart, all my thoughts, all my life. I confess that I don’t love You as I should, but I want to love You more. Help me to see You as the treasure above all treasures. Teach me to lay down my idols and distractions and follow You with a heart full of joy and trust. Grow my love for You each day, and let my life be a reflection of that love in how I speak, serve, and live. Thank You for loving me perfectly even when I fall short. In Your name, Amen.