Daily Devo

I Surrender All

By: Lisa Hodgins

Thursday, April 3, 2025

Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship. Romans 12:1

There is a cost to following Jesus. Surrendering ourselves completely to Christ may include losing some of our friends. Because of our beliefs, our own family members may want nothing to do with us. It can cost us job opportunities, and we may need to give up a treasured hobby. But the rewards of a life completely surrendered to God are eternal and priceless!

Peter boldly told Jesus he would die for Him, but that same evening he denied knowing him three times. Why? Peter was fearful about the cost of following Jesus. But God... Jesus forgave him, and Peter eventually surrendered his life for the Lord’s work. Judas walked with Jesus and personally saw His power and miracles, but he couldn’t surrender his greed to God. To Judas, the cost of following Jesus was too high. In Matthew 19:16-24, a rich young man went away sad because he valued his money more that he valued following Jesus.

When a religious leader told Jesus; “Teacher, 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.” (Matthew 8:20). Jesus was letting everyone know following Him came with a cost. It included humbling themselves and sacrificing some of the comforts they had grown fond of.

To the one who is victorious, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I was victorious and sat down with my Father on his throne. Revelation 3:21

Jesus knows our motives, the ones some people hide deep in their hearts. If the cost seems high, trust God. When you "give your all" for Christ, you will gain even more, eternal life! Often, great successes only come through sacrifice, ask an Olympic athlete or a concert musician. Here's how a Life Application commentary I read states it; “What does Jesus want from his followers? His followers must accept the cross along with the crown, judgment as well as mercy. They must count the cost and be willing to abandon everything else that has given them security. Nothing should distract them from serving Him."

The words to a famous old hymn called "I Surrender All" sum up what is required pretty well:

All to Jesus I surrender, All to Him I freely give;

I will ever love and trust Him, In His presence daily live.

So, are you ready to surrender everything for Jesus sake?

Read: Luke 9:23, John 8:12