Jesus addressed the gathering crowds with a stark message: to "hate" those whom we most naturally love—parents, spouse, children and siblings. This calling of Christ also includes taking up one's cross and following Him (Luke 14:27). How are we to receive, understand and follow this hard saying of Jesus? The answer is found as we answer, "What is ultimate in your life?"

"As Jesus started on his way, a man ran up to him and fell on his knees before him. ‘Good teacher,’ he asked, ‘what must I do to inherit eternal life?’ Jesus looked at him and loved him. ‘One thing you lack,’ He said. ‘Go, sell everything you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven. Then come, follow me.’" (Mark 10:17, 21 NIV)

"And do not swear by your head, for you cannot make even one hair white or black. All you need to say is simply ‘Yes’ or ‘No’; anything beyond this comes from the evil one." (Matthew 5:36-37 NIV)

"Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters. And so I tell you, every kind of sin and slander can be forgiven, but blasphemy against the Spirit will not be forgiven." (Matthew 12:30-31 NIV)

Jesus said: “I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven." (Luke 10:18-20)

The exchanges between Jesus and the three men in this passage highlight that there is a cost to following Him. On the surface level, we might wonder, Why does Jesus seem to be so stern with these men? As we dig a little deeper, we see that Jesus was calling them to something far bigger than they imagined—the very kingdom of God.

So [Jesus] made a whip out of cords, and drove all from the temple courts, both sheep and cattle; He scattered the coins of the money changers and overturned their tables. To those who sold doves He said, “Get these out of here! Stop turning my Father’s house into a market!” His disciples remembered that it is written: “Zeal for your house will consume me.” (Jn. 2:15-17)

Jesus said, "Truly I tell you, if anyone says to this mountain, ‘Go, throw yourself into the sea,’ and does not doubt in their heart but believes that what they say will happen, it will be done for them. Therefore I tell you, whatever you ask for in prayer, believe that you have received it, and it will be yours." (Mark 11:23-24 )

As we close out the ALL IN series, we recognize that God has set His people apart for His glory, and He has directed us to follow Him—to deny ourselves, to take up our cross and to follow Him day by day.