Jesus Demands More

 

 Mt 10:34-39

 Hard Sayings

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.

Yes, following Jesus demands extraordinary sacrifice and reversal of "the normal." We must put him at the center of our lives, over and above family, over and above life! Look at the martyrs!  Look at Jesus who gave his life for us. Being his disciple is not an easy way of life but a contradiction to what "the world" proposes as a "good life." How much can we bend and adjust our lives to conform to his high standards so contrary to "the world's standards"? These days of Lent are the training ground for such a life.

Bro. Rene

Dear Jesus, help me to love and serve you totally, no matter what the cost. Amen.