“Don’t think that I’ve come to bring peace to the earth. I haven’t come to bring peace but a sword. I’ve come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. People’s enemies are members of their own households. “Those who love father or mother more than me aren’t worthy of me. Those who love son or daughter more than me aren’t worthy of me. Those who don’t pick up their crosses and follow me aren’t worthy of me. Those who find their lives will lose them, and those who lose their lives because of me will find them. “Those who receive you are also receiving me, and those who receive me are receiving the one who sent me. Those who receive a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward. Those who receive a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. I assure you that everybody who gives even a cup of cold water to these little ones because they are my disciples will certainly be rewarded.” (Matthew 10:34-42, CEB)
When we encounter these statements, we wonder what Jesus was saying or meant. Did Jesus really mean he came to turn family members against each other? That we can not love our mother, or father, or siblings?
Well, actually, Jesus said if you love anyone more than Jesus, you are not worthy of Jesus. If we love our life more than doing what Jesus called us to do, then we are not worthy.
Actually, I think that is worse. I honestly have to say that sometimes I love the comfort of not being in the line of fire or risking my life to stand up for the last, lost, least, and little. I love comfort and safety. Jesus says if we do not risk losing everything, yes even our life, we are not worthy of Him.
We need to love Jesus so dearly that we are willing to give up everything, because that is what He did.
Take up your cross, the instrument of death, and know that what is to come and following Jesus is better than this life ever could be. Comfort and safety left in the hands of God.
Follow, and love Jesus more than anything else.
aSacredRebel 