- Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. Matthew 10:34 – Jesus’ message was certainly one of peace for it paved the pathway to peace with the Father. We see though that while peace with the Father is found by embracing Jesus’ way, peace isn’t going to always be the result with everyone else. The following verses illustrates that for us perfectly. There will be division between son and father, and daughter and mother, and many other relationships will see division due to individuals choosing to follow Jesus. This division is birthed because while one chooses Jesus, the other does not. Jesus then wanted to prepare His followers for the reality of what may come as a result of choosing Him. A sword of division may cut through some of their closest relationships because they don’t believe in Jesus. As followers of Jesus today we must accept this truth as well, that the result of choosing Jesus may mean a division between us and some people we love for they don’t follow Jesus like we do. Hearing that and acknowledging the truth of that, you must ask yourself is Jesus still worth it to you? Are you willing to set aside some of the closest relationships you have if they choose to reject you due to your faith in Jesus? Will you choose Jesus over them? Of course the desire is for them to want Jesus to and there never being any division like we’re talking about today, but if they reject Jesus and want to reject you because you follow Jesus, will you remain faithful or choose them over Jesus? While the cost is high to follow Jesus, it’s worth every penny. Be willing to choose Him always. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 3332
- A disciple is not above his teacher, nor a servant above his master. It is enough for the disciple to be like his teacher, and the servant like his master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household. Matthew 10:24-25 – Our master, Jesus, was ridiculed, hated, mocked, and publicity humiliated. Some thought He was of the devil and was a terror to the church. As a result, they constantly sought ways to bring Him down and end Him. What this passage is saying is that if they treated the master that way, don’t expect a different outcome for those who follow that master. Keep this in mind, as you more deeply follow Jesus the more pushback you will receive. Culture, our enemy, and even those in the church who don’t want to address their own sin will always seek to bring down those who choose to follow God. Just remember what the next verse talks about. You are more valuable to God than anything and His promise is to take care of those who follow Him. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 864
- So everyone who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven, but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven. Matthew10:32-33 – I could come up with my own way of describing what “acknowledging” Jesus could mean, but looking at the rest of the verses in this chapter we get a pretty good description right there. Actually fulfilling the mission that God has called you to accomplish of going into lands and lives and doing to work of God, that’s acknowledging Jesus before men. Bearing witness to the glory of Jesus even under the most severe of persecution is acknowledging Jesus before men. Taking the hate of men that’s first shown to Jesus yet still remaining faithful is acknowledging Jesus before men. This chapter shows us that a superficial, selfish, and soft faith isn’t going to cut it with what God is actually calling us to. When we strive to acknowledge Jesus before this world we may face the worst of struggles and pain this world can offer. As our chapter today reminded us, if Jesus went through all this, we’re not greater than Him so how can we expect better treatment? All this shouldn’t scare you from a life of pursuing Jesus, but it should scare you from a fake following of Jesus. If you claim to be a believer in Jesus and a faithful disciple of Him, let that proclamation be clear through the way you live. I love you, but Jesus loves you more – Mac – Daily DEVO 1960
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