Matthew 10:34-42
³⁴Do not think that I came to bring peace on the earth; I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. ³⁵For I came to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; ³⁶and a man’s enemies will be the members of his household.
³⁷He 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. ³⁸And he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me.
³⁹He who has found his life will lose it, and he who has lost his life for My sake will find it.
The Reward of Service
⁴⁰He who receives you receives Me, and he who receives Me receives Him who sent Me. ⁴¹He who receives a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet’s reward; and he who receives a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man’s reward. ⁴²And whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward.”
Devotional
The world is turned upside down for a disciple of Jesus.
He has very different priorities.
Jesus is speaking here of exciting times for his followers.
Times when you can hardly be sure of anyone as a Christian.
Such times have passed, over and over again, in some countries it is such times right now, and for the rest, such times will come again.
Times when a follower of Jesus cannot trust his own father and mother or children. Those are terrible times.
What Jesus describes in Matthew 10:34-36 has happened: that children reported their own parents to the authorities, because they believed in Jesus (or parents their children; His coming brings peace, salvation on the one hand, but on the other hand judgment, separation (= the sword)).
How difficult it must be in such times to remain a disciple of Jesus!
Jesus ends His teaching of discipleship very sharply.
Who will leave the classroom as a true disciple of His?
You have to know what it’s all about.
You must be worthy to be a follower of Jesus.
Like a hardened soldier, who can take a beating (cf. 2 Timothy 2:3,4; Ephesians 6:10-18), because you will take beatings as a disciple of Jesus.
▪︎ Only he who stands in danger is worthy of being a disciple of Him.
▪︎ Only those who consider everything in their life, subordinate to following Him.
For to be a disciple of Jesus is to go after the Master.
Just as He took up the cross, so His disciples must be willing to take up their cross and follow Him (Matthew 10:37-39; cf. Luke 9:23,24).
Jesus asks a lot of his disciples.
He is well aware of that.
He concludes the school for students with an encouragement for them.
As sent ones, they represent Him (Matthew 10:40).
Those who receive them as prophets and righteous ones, share in their ministry and therefore also receive their reward (Matthew 10:41).
A benefit rendered to Jesus’ disciples, however small by worldly standards, is great in God’s sight (Matthew 10:42).
Do you still want to be a disciple of Jesus?
It’s a job that costs you everything.
But how God wants to bless others through your service!
Question
- What are the five most important things in your life?
Prayer Suggestion
- Thank the Lord that you may be His disciple.
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