Jesus presented a really big question when people wanted to follow Him. Jesus said in Luke 9:23, “Whoever wants to be my disciple must deny themselves and take up their cross daily and follow me.”
Jesus was continually raising the bar for people to be His disciples. He did not seem to mind when people walked away because He focused on what He was developing in the ones who stayed.

As leaders, it seems that many of us have become apologetic in asking people to sacrifice for the cause of Christ. We bend over backwards to make easy on ramps to ministry opportunities and even challenge people to serve or give with partial commitment instead of wholehearted commitment. Jesus never shielded away from asking people to make a total commitment.

• Jesus always asked for total commitment. Truthfully, He banished those with partial commitment from following Him at all. Consider the scripture in Luke 9:62 But Jesus told him, “Anyone who puts a hand to the plow and then looks back is not fit for the Kingdom of God.”
• Jesus promised to bless total commitment. In Mark 9:29, Jesus makes a promise to those who have committed to His purpose. Jesus said in verse 29“Truly I tell you, said Jesus, “- no one who has left home or brothers or sisters or mother or father or children or fields for My sake and for the gospel 30will fail to receive a hundredfold in the present age—houses and brothers and sisters and mothers and children and fields, along with persecutions—and to receive eternal life in the age to come.
• Jesus exemplified total commitment. Jesus gave His very best for you. The reason Jesus came to earth was to display the commitment of the Father to His people and ransom us all back to Him. Mark 10:45 reminds us, “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many.”

Today’s Challenge: Following Jesus is not a halfhearted venture but an intentional surrender of one’s life to Jesus. Decide today to give yourself fully to the opportunities He brings your way.