Loving Jesus More

Scripture:

Matthew 10:34-39

    "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to

the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword.

    

     '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

          Your enemies will be right in your own

               household!'

         "If you love your father or mother more than 

you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or

if you love your son or daughter more than me, you 

are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take 

up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of

being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it;

but if you give up your life for me, you will find it."

Observation:

Jesus did not leave anything to the imagination. He was crystal clear about what it means to follow Him. This passage of scripture is so powerful that people are afraid to even refer to it. I mean think about it, he is telling us that if we love our own children more than we love him we are not worthy of being his. In other words, if we love our own children more than him, we will not be saved and we will not go to heaven. He is also saying that we might have to become enemies of our family members for his sake. 

This is not a "Seeker Sensitive" message! I have never heard anyone talk about this scripture, no pastor, no radio preacher, no TV preacher, nobody! Joel Osteen would never in a million years quote this passage of scripture. It is almost like this passage of scripture has a gate with an old rusty lock on it, with a sign that says "KEEP OUT" or, "BEWARE OF DOG". I'm scared to even journal on this scripture, because it is so powerful. This is one of those truths that force you to examine yourself and see if you truly belong to Jesus.

2 Corinthians 13:5

Examine yourselves to see if your faith is genuine. Test yourselves. Surely you know that Jesus Christ is among you; if not, you have failed the test of genuine faith.

Application:

How do you apply a scripture like this to your life? I guess the only way is to look at what Jesus has done for me. He has created me, He has created everything I see, He is the King of the Universe. Even though I have sinned and rebelled against Him, He paid the ultimate price so that I can be with Him for eternity. He has given me a beautiful wife and daughter for the short time I have on this earth. He has given me a new life and turned me into a new person. He has freed me from the bondage of sin and the punishment of eternity in hell. He is preparing a place for me in heaven. He loves me unconditionally for no other reason at all other than His own pleasure. 

I think Jesus Christ has given me so many reasons to love him far above anyone else. I think Jesus has given me so many reasons to take up my cross and follow Him. I think Jesus Christ has given me so many reasons to turn my back on my own life and hand it over to Him. I guess this scripture is not so scary after all, it is actually some of the most beautiful words Jesus has ever spoken about true love! 

Prayer:

Dear Lord, Thank you for the priceless treasure of Jesus Christ! Thank you for loving me so much that you would die for my sin! Thank you for your truth that lasts forever. Thank you for my wife and my daughter. Help me to show people that you are so gracious and merciful. help me to warn people before it is too late. Give me the strength I need to live the Gospel. Strengthen New Life church to be bold for Christ! In Jesus name, Amen!