Not An Easy Path

 Matthew 10: 34-11:1

Finding and Losing Life

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.”

11 After Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in the towns of Galilee.

Following Jesus is not easy. It is not a popularity contest, but a contest of stamina, conviction, and challenge. It is the "narrow road", the steep climb, and the daily test, but one that comes with the reward  of eternal life. We can become so distracted with seeking the "easy way" and not take up our daily cross, that we are ready to sacrifice a sack of diamonds for a sack of pebbles. When the opportunity comes to give that cup of water, let's "Just Do It"  and by so doing assure the quenching of our own thirst.

Bro. Rene