Listen to Devotion

As they were walking along the road, a man said to him, “I will follow you wherever you go.” Jesus replied, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.”

Some sports fans stick with their team season after season, even when it doesn’t seem like they’re rooting for the winners. These fans are completely committed till the day they die. Then there are fair-weather fans who love to follow the winning team and will proudly sport their colors. However, when the team’s ranking begins to slip, less committed fans quickly lose interest.

When people saw all the miracles Jesus performed, many began to follow him. Who wouldn’t want to follow the guy who could feed thousands of people? How could you not be a fan of the one who could heal your disease with just a word? However, when Jesus made it evident that he didn’t come to primarily give earthly and physical blessings, less committed followers quickly lost interest.

Jesus once told a man eager to follow him, “Foxes have dens and birds have nests, but the Son of Man has no place to lay his head.” If you truly want to follow Jesus, know that it won’t be to a mansion or a place and promise of earthly prosperity. The benefits and blessings of following Jesus are primarily spiritual, not material. Jesus doesn’t promise earthly success; he gives forgiveness of sins. Jesus doesn’t promise a mansion here on earth. He has prepared a heavenly home for all believers.

Jesus, the one who was committed to saving you, calls you to be committed to him. He calls us not to be fair-weather followers, interested only when it’s convenient or popular. And he calls believers more than just fans. He calls them children of God! We eagerly follow him through every season of life, even when we face challenges or difficulties because of our faith in him. Jesus, the Savior of all, has won the ultimate victory over sin and death. He has conquered the evil opponent, the devil. We follow him until the day we die because he has victory even over death. Jesus wins!

Lord, lead me each day to follow you until you bring me home at last. Amen.

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All Scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc. ™ Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide.