More than a Teacher
Its the content you find Jesus saying in Matthew 10 that reminds you - you cannot leave Him at "good teacher", or "moral leader." He is either God incarnate that has every right to the deed of our being or He is completely mad in the head.
Matthew 10:34–37 (ESV) “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
Most of us need to be rescued from the dumbed-down "acceptable to Hollywood" version of Jesus. He is the passionate, relentless hound of heaven who seeks us out, finds us, saves us and rearranges our lives completely.
To know Jesus is a privilege to be WORTHY of and require absolute commitment.
"Worthy" in verse 37 can also be translated, "deserves". Again, Jesus is not looking to make you morally scrupulous. He is the pearl of greatest price that we cannot afford but are freely offered by the Grace of God.
His sword will separate us from those we may think closes to us. In Jesus' day a Father was the life-line, your significance, your heritage, your identity. Jesus says in HIM that comes to an end - a new identity is in place. Jesus is my heritage, my significance, my identity. He brings a sword to my life that sets me apart to Him and for Him.
There may be conflict where there would otherwise be peace.
There may be separation where there would otherwise be unity.
Even Jesus' own Mother and brothers (His family) thought He was out of His mind. Mark 3:21 and John 7 they come to arrest Him, and they mock Him.
Jesus established the dividing line of humanity. To follow Him changes everything.
They say that blood is thicker than water. God's blood is thicker still!
Take up your cross and follow... One commentator said it: To have a member of the family crucified was the ultimate shame (R. T. France). Paul said "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Where is the shame of being found in Christ? Has our faith become so watered down that we forget it should stand out in ways less admirable to the world?
PRAYER:
Help me to understand this reality. In my heart, may I set apart Christ as LORD.
Matthew 10:34–37 (ESV) “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me."
Most of us need to be rescued from the dumbed-down "acceptable to Hollywood" version of Jesus. He is the passionate, relentless hound of heaven who seeks us out, finds us, saves us and rearranges our lives completely.
To know Jesus is a privilege to be WORTHY of and require absolute commitment.
"Worthy" in verse 37 can also be translated, "deserves". Again, Jesus is not looking to make you morally scrupulous. He is the pearl of greatest price that we cannot afford but are freely offered by the Grace of God.
His sword will separate us from those we may think closes to us. In Jesus' day a Father was the life-line, your significance, your heritage, your identity. Jesus says in HIM that comes to an end - a new identity is in place. Jesus is my heritage, my significance, my identity. He brings a sword to my life that sets me apart to Him and for Him.
There may be conflict where there would otherwise be peace.
There may be separation where there would otherwise be unity.
Even Jesus' own Mother and brothers (His family) thought He was out of His mind. Mark 3:21 and John 7 they come to arrest Him, and they mock Him.
Jesus established the dividing line of humanity. To follow Him changes everything.
They say that blood is thicker than water. God's blood is thicker still!
Take up your cross and follow... One commentator said it: To have a member of the family crucified was the ultimate shame (R. T. France). Paul said "I bear in my body the marks of the Lord Jesus Christ."
Where is the shame of being found in Christ? Has our faith become so watered down that we forget it should stand out in ways less admirable to the world?
PRAYER:
Help me to understand this reality. In my heart, may I set apart Christ as LORD.
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