Choosing Christ Above All
When Following Jesus Challenges Family and Comfort
SCRIPTURE:
Matthew 10:37-39 NKJV - (37) "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. (38) "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. (39) "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
OBSERVATION:
In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus prepares to send out the twelve disciples to preach the gospel. Before doing so, He warns them that some people, including family members, will reject the message. Reading this, you might wonder, "Why share the gospel if it can lead to persecution, death, or family disputes?" The reality is, for some, the gospel will be offensive. It will profoundly touch their hearts, and their natural reaction may be to persecute. The Old Man resists dying easily.
Matthew 10:34-35 NKJV - (34) "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. (35) "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'."
Matthew 10:37-39 NKJV - (37) "He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. (38) "And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me. (39) "He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for My sake will find it.
OBSERVATION:
In Matthew chapter 10, Jesus prepares to send out the twelve disciples to preach the gospel. Before doing so, He warns them that some people, including family members, will reject the message. Reading this, you might wonder, "Why share the gospel if it can lead to persecution, death, or family disputes?" The reality is, for some, the gospel will be offensive. It will profoundly touch their hearts, and their natural reaction may be to persecute. The Old Man resists dying easily.
Matthew 10:34-35 NKJV - (34) "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. (35) "For I have come to 'set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law'."
We should expect that normally, following Jesus makes us better husbands, fathers, wives, mothers, sons, daughters and so forth. Yet there are times when the presence of Jesus divides rather than unifies. - The greatest danger of idolatry comes not from what is bad, but from what is good — like love in family relationships. The greatest danger to the best comes from second best. – David Guzik.
Many readers find these verses confusing. Some interpret Jesus as saying, "don't love your family," while others believe that our love for Jesus should take precedence over family love. Jesus is not instructing us to avoid loving our families; instead, he highlights that following Him might naturally cause divisions within families. At such times, we face the choice to prioritize our love for God or our family.
If we genuinely love our families, we will, regardless of the difficulties, share the good news of Jesus. How they respond is their decision. Our duty is to love them, even if they reject the message.
If we genuinely love our families, we will, regardless of the difficulties, share the good news of Jesus. How they respond is their decision. Our duty is to love them, even if they reject the message.
The disciple lives in a paradox. He can only find life by losing it, and he can only live by dying. Resurrection life can only come after we take up our cross to follow Jesus. – David Guzik.
Bearing the cross, we are to follow after Jesus: to bear a cross without following Christ is a poor affair. A Christian who shuns the cross is no Christian; but a crossbearer who does not follow Jesus equally misses the mark. – Charles Spurgeon.
APPLICATION:
Avoid causing frustration within your family. Don’t act as if you’re better than others just because you’ve received forgiveness and salvation. While our transformation may seem “offensive” to them, they don’t understand. Avoid becoming the “annoying” person who thinks they are so righteous that others cannot stand your hypocrisy. Such a mindset never leads to salvation. Instead, love others as Jesus did—though it might be offensive—you're ultimately bringing life. All this to say, it’s not always easy with family. Love Jesus and trust Him to work through you. You will see the results. As we fully dedicate ourselves to Him and live out the gospel, it may be offensive, but it remains life-giving.
PRAYER:
Jesus, Your words are challenging. Help me love You more so my family can see the positive change in me. When I feel annoyed instead of merciful, guide me to love them as You do. When my family rejects me, let that deepen my love for them through Your love. Always prioritize You above all else. Make You the first, the center, and the focus of my life, regardless of circumstances.
Avoid causing frustration within your family. Don’t act as if you’re better than others just because you’ve received forgiveness and salvation. While our transformation may seem “offensive” to them, they don’t understand. Avoid becoming the “annoying” person who thinks they are so righteous that others cannot stand your hypocrisy. Such a mindset never leads to salvation. Instead, love others as Jesus did—though it might be offensive—you're ultimately bringing life. All this to say, it’s not always easy with family. Love Jesus and trust Him to work through you. You will see the results. As we fully dedicate ourselves to Him and live out the gospel, it may be offensive, but it remains life-giving.
PRAYER:
Jesus, Your words are challenging. Help me love You more so my family can see the positive change in me. When I feel annoyed instead of merciful, guide me to love them as You do. When my family rejects me, let that deepen my love for them through Your love. Always prioritize You above all else. Make You the first, the center, and the focus of my life, regardless of circumstances.
True life is found by losing ourselves for Christ, even when it divides those we love.
Posted in Matthew