Jesus First, Self Next

18th Tuesday 2026

Read: Matthew 19:16-30

Verse: "What good will it be for a man if he gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? ..." (Matthew 16:26)

Our society is increasingly becoming self-centered, self-indulgent and pleasure oriented. As it is written in II Timothy 3, in these last days, people have become lovers of themselves and lovers of money. But a disciple of Jesus should not be influenced by this sinful world. Our Lord Jesus said to His disciples, "If anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross and follow me." He meant to say that "if any of you want to be my follower, you must put aside your selfish ambition, shoulder your cross and follow me."

There are three hindrances for us to follow Jesus - Self, family and possessions!

If one wants to be the disciple of Jesus, he must put off old self - the old habits, old thinking. All sinful pursuits must pass away. Secondly, Jesus said that if anyone does not hate his father, mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters and yes, even his own life, cannot be His disciple. By this He meant that we should love Him with all our being. In other words we should give Him our first love. Thirdly, Jesus said that one cannot be His disciple unless he gives up everything. Jesus told the rich young ruler that if he wanted to be perfect, he should sell all that he had, give the money to the poor and then follow Him.

Dear friends, many of us do not mind giving God a little. Some of us are willing to give Him a little more. Others are even willing to give Him a great deal. But God commands us to give Him all! Everything! So, first let us surrender ourselves wholly and then let go our hold on our possessions.

Prayer: Loving Lord, let not these three - self, family and possessions, hinder me from following You. Let me put off my old self, let me love You more than my own kith and kin and let me be willing to give my all to You and follow You wholeheartedly. Amen.