All or Nothing
Opening Prayer
Lord, You are worthy of every sacrifice. Loyalty to You will make me truly loyal to others. I choose You over all.
Read Matthew 10:32-42
[32] “Whoever acknowledges me before others, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. [33] But whoever disowns me before others, I will disown before my Father in heaven. [34] “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. [35] For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law- [36] a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ [37] “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. [38] Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. [39] Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. [40] “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. [41] Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. [42] And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.” Scripture taken from the THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION, NIV Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
Reflect
How can loyalties, to family or otherwise, hinder obedience?Mission is uncomfortable! How we handle the difficulties and opposition will depend on our priorities. If our main concern is to have a happy life, or to be liked and accepted by others, then we will find following Jesus extremely costly emotionally (37,38) and spiritually (33). Very often the most painful opposition comes from those who are closest to us (35,36). We might wonder why the “Prince of Peace” brings such terrible division rather than unity (34-36). The truth is that rebellion against God runs deep in the human heart. Our natural inclination is to resist and reject the truth about Jesus because we don’t want to admit we need saving. If someone accepts their need for Jesus, they welcome God and welcome God’s people (40). But if they reject Jesus, they will also be hostile to his people. It is all or nothing with Jesus. He demands to be our number one priority (37-39). When we stop to consider the extent of his love for us on the cross, he deserves to be our number one.
Apply
Honestly consider: Is Jesus first in my life? Who directs what I do? Who do I most want to please?
Closing prayer
My loving God, Your way is the way of life. Obedience to You is the only way to experience true blessing.
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