Bible Challenge – Day 11
Genesis 28-30; Psalm 10; Matthew 10
“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)
Harsh words from Jesus; words far different than the joyful proclamations made by the angels, shepherds and wise men who, in the birth stories, prophesied the arrival of good will and peace among men. No peaceful prophesies here as Jesus speaks of swords and makes ominous promises to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother. Jesus does not give us any slack in this passage from Matthew. He calls a spade a spade. He says, “Whoever loves father, son or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37-39)
What are we to make of this tough love stance in which Jesus focuses on one’s love of others in comparison to one’s devotion to Jesus himself. In this passage, Jesus asserts that he must be preeminent. He calls us to go to the limit of shame, suffering, and death as we make him “Lord of all.” Jesus calls us to make him the primary object of our love and devotion (vv. 37–38). Jesus is the source of true life (v. 39). Jesus is the one received when we, as his emissaries, are received (vv. 40–42). It’s all about Jesus! It’s not about us…
Carrying the sword is no easy task. It takes courage and endurance. It can be lonely and frightening work. Paul describes it well in Ephesians when he writes, “Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:11-17)
Those of us who profess Christianity have no easy task today as we face a world filled with the challenges of war, terrorism, massacre, and poverty. We are often tempted, as the psalmist to cry out, “Why O Lord do you stand off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?…Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the oppressed.”
Jesus responds by challenging us. He insists that we follow him to the cross and beyond if we are to be saved. We gain courage to undertake this task from remembering what God said to Jacob in Genesis, “I am with you and will keep you wherever you go…” (Genesis 28:15); and that Jesus counseled, “…and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)
God’s love can indeed be tough love…but it is a love that promises to be with us always. It is a love not available anywhere else in this earthly kingdom, or beyond.
Genesis 28-30; Psalm 10; Matthew 10
“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)
Harsh words from Jesus; words far different than the joyful proclamations made by the angels, shepherds and wise men who, in the birth stories, prophesied the arrival of good will and peace among men. No peaceful prophesies here as Jesus speaks of swords and makes ominous promises to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother. Jesus does not give us any slack in this passage from Matthew. He calls a spade a spade. He says, “Whoever loves father, son or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.” (Matthew 10:37-39)
What are we to make of this tough love stance in which Jesus focuses on one’s love of others in comparison to one’s devotion to Jesus himself. In this passage, Jesus asserts that he must be preeminent. He calls us to go to the limit of shame, suffering, and death as we make him “Lord of all.” Jesus calls us to make him the primary object of our love and devotion (vv. 37–38). Jesus is the source of true life (v. 39). Jesus is the one received when we, as his emissaries, are received (vv. 40–42). It’s all about Jesus! It’s not about us…
Carrying the sword is no easy task. It takes courage and endurance. It can be lonely and frightening work. Paul describes it well in Ephesians when he writes, “Put on the whole armor of God, so that you may be able to stand against the wiles of the devil…Take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the Word of God.” (Ephesians 6:11-17)
Those of us who profess Christianity have no easy task today as we face a world filled with the challenges of war, terrorism, massacre, and poverty. We are often tempted, as the psalmist to cry out, “Why O Lord do you stand off? Why do you hide yourself in times of trouble?…Rise up, O Lord; O God, lift up your hand; do not forget the oppressed.”
Jesus responds by challenging us. He insists that we follow him to the cross and beyond if we are to be saved. We gain courage to undertake this task from remembering what God said to Jacob in Genesis, “I am with you and will keep you wherever you go…” (Genesis 28:15); and that Jesus counseled, “…and you will be hated by all because of my name. But the one who endures to the end will be saved.” (Matthew 10:22)
God’s love can indeed be tough love…but it is a love that promises to be with us always. It is a love not available anywhere else in this earthly kingdom, or beyond.
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