What
sort of warlike brute would say such a thing?
Is this the latest headline from yet another dictator with overblown
rhetoric threatening nuclear war? No,
these are words from the Prince of Peace Himself, Jesus Christ. What is going on here?
This
verse follows Matthew 10:32-33 in which Jesus talks about acknowledging Him in
front of others. It is as if He is
underlining His point. “You want to
follow me? Then acknowledge me in
public. But make no mistake about
it. It’s going to cost you. You can’t fly under the radar. As a matter of fact, it is going to cause
division and relational disaster among those you love most. Still want to do this?”
This
is not a mandate to go forth and be a jerk.
If we follow Jesus faithfully, some people will be offended
naturally. It is going to happen. Will it matter to you when it does? Will that cause you to hold your tongue and
not speak what you know to be true? Or
will you risk friendships and family peace for the only relationship that
really matters?
Lord, You know what a coward I am.
I would much rather not ruffle feathers and go with the flow. I want people to like me. Help me put aside such trivial
sentiment. Grant me the strength and
courage to follow You no matter the cost.
In the name of Jesus, Who paid the ultimate cost at Calvary, amen.Copyright © 2013 by Steven R. Perkins
No comments:
Post a Comment
While I welcome comments, even those that disagree with something I have written, I will delete any comment that is profane, vulgar, threatening, or in poor taste.