Stay up to date with news here by subscribing to our updates.

One of Jesus’ most challenging statements is this one. He makes it sound as if one of his main purposes in coming to earth was to make families hate each other, and we don’t like the sound of that. It doesn’t sound nice and loving. Nevertheless, there is good reason for Jesus to say something like this.

Jesus came to seek and save the lost, to proclaim the year of the Lord’s favor, to teach people of the Kingdom of God, and to present the truth that no one is good enough for God but that people could have a relationship with God through Jesus himself. It’s the last part of the message that many have difficulty with, and it’s that last part of the message that has the potential to divide families. The message that Jesus is the only way to God is divisive no matter how you look at it, and any divisive message has the potential to divide even families.

In fact, Jesus is saying these words as an encouragement to his followers. You see, in this section where Jesus is challenging his followers and speaking words of truth that alleviate fear, he has to address one of the major fears people have when coming to him. “What will my coming to Jesus do to my family?” There are some people who know that coming to Jesus will create a rift in their family, and they have to make the tough decision of whether their family is more important than Jesus or vice versa.

Jesus makes it clear that this kind of decision is par for the course when it comes to knowing him. Don’t be afraid to make this decision in Jesus’ favor. If you are sharing your faith with someone, don’t worry about being the person who might disrupt their family dynamic. If you are the person making the decision, don’t worry about being the person who disrupts your own family dynamic. We are each accountable to God as individuals not as families.

But of course, Jesus doesn’t throw these words out there for us to fret over them. He speaks some encouragement to us too by telling us that those who are willing to lose even their own life for Jesus will find true life. It’s almost as if he is saying, “Whatever you may lose for me will be returned to you in truer fashion.” Additionally, he makes the promise that doing even the smallest thing to honor Jesus and care for his followers will guarantee a heavenly reward. How much greater a reward will one receive who makes a great sacrifice like the loss of his own life!

BIG IDEA FOR THE DAY: Do not fear what you may lose or give up in knowing Jesus and making him known; he has the resources to replace it and reward you.

Subscribe to (PROJECT) RED by Email

Published by Pastor Jeff August 8th, 2008
Devotional ::  RED.