Jesus Most

As much as we may try to hide it or refuse to admit it, the things to which we Americans devote our time and resources will ultimately betray our hearts! There's a great example of this in three of the New Testament gospels - Matthew, Mark and Luke. On the "other side" of the Sea of Galilee, Jesus was confronted with two demon-possessed men; He cast the demons out of the men and into a herd of pigs. When the herd subsequently ran into the sea and drowned, see the people's response: "And they began to beg Jesus to depart from their region" (Mark 5:17, NASB). I doubt any of us would denounce our love for bacon, but such love-of-pigs [more than Jesus] is a bit much! A good question for every Believer is "what is my true regard for Jesus?" Do I love Him more than my stuff, my job, my family ... you name it. Jesus said in Matthew 16:24, "If anyone would come after Me, let him deny himself and take up his cross and follow Me." It's pretty clear Jesus plays second-fiddle to no one; from the true follower, He demands all. J.C. Ryle said: "Of all the things that will surprise us in the resurrection morning ... that we did not love Christ more before we died." It's a profound question, and our lives reveal the answer ... do you love Jesus most?