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[Jesus said] “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

I have a great relationship with my family. My parents cared dearly for my siblings and me. We all still get along and love getting together. I have a wonderful wife whom I treasure, and she feels the same way about me. I cherish my children. They fill my heart with so much joy. I love my family! There isn’t much I wouldn’t do for them!

If you have a family whom you love and they love you as well, reading Jesus’ words might be tough to hear. After all, many people would say that family comes first. However, that’s not what Jesus says. To be clear, Jesus isn’t dismissing or diminishing the love of parents, spouses, or children. Those are most certainly great gifts from God. But he does say that our love for him needs to come first. Why? Because he deserves it. He deserves to be our first love because Jesus has done more for us than anyone ever could. Yes, parents care for their children when they’re sick and make sure that their kids have a place to sleep and food to eat. But Jesus has defeated death for us. Jesus has built a home in heaven. Yes, spouses sacrifice for each other, but Jesus sacrificed himself by suffering the hell our sins deserve. Jesus has paid for all of your wrongs and failures. Jesus has done more for you than anyone else.

I hope that God has blessed you with a family you love and who loves you. But even if that isn’t the case, Jesus loves you more than you could imagine. No matter what you have done, no matter how you have lived, no matter how awful and terrible you think you are, Jesus loves you, Jesus has forgiven you, and Jesus has made you a part of his family.

Dear Jesus, you are worthy of my highest love and loyalty. Forgive me for the times I have placed family and friends above you. Through your Word, deepen my love for you. Help me to love my family without making them idols. 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.