Yet all these, though they were commended for their faith, did not receive what was promised, since God had provided something better so that they would not, apart from us, be made perfect. Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight and the sin that clings so closely, and let us run with perseverance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus the pioneer and perfecter of our faith, who for the sake of the joy that was set before him endured the cross, disregarding its shame, and has taken his seat at the right hand of the throne of God. Hebrews 11: 39-12: 2, NRSV.
Blessed LORD, we hunger and thirst for the life-changing knowledge of Your Word. Please speak to us we pray, in the blessed name of Jesus! Amen.
Once again we look to the gospel according to Matthew to be pre-warned of some of the dangers that face the Christian as we are in the world, without having the mind set, without adopting the moral code, in short, without living according to the status quo, of the world. This is not easy to do. Oftentimes we excite the anger of the “powers that be.” This is usually not our intention. However, Peter said to the authorities of his day: ” ‘ “We must obey God rather than men . . .” ‘ ” (Acts 5: 29). When we must choose between what God asks us to do and what mortals ask us to do, the Christian knows that his or her loyalty, is first, to God.
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it” (Matthew 10: 37-39). This portion of Scripture is similar to the portion we looked at yesterday, it has to do with relationships, especially within the home. Lest we become confused, let me hasten to explain that it was God who instituted marriage and the home “in the beginning” (Genesis 2: 8, 18-24). So these verses do not represent an attack against the institution of marriage or family relationships. It is obviously building on the premise that, the closer the relationship, the easier it is for us to give them the place that belongs only to God! With this thought in mind, let us give these verses a closer look:
Is it possible for us to love those of our household more than we love the Lord? Of course it is. It happens all the time. It is especially noticeable when one member of the family decides to make a change in his or her lifestyle for the sake of the gospel. If the other members are not prepared to do the same, in order for the peace of the household not to be affected, the member who is contemplating the change, “for peace’s sake,” would rather not make the commitment. Even in an already established Christian household, if one member suddenly becomes aware that God is calling him or her to higher ground, or to a specific task, some of the other members might not be aware and may wonder about this change in behavior. Let us look at an incident that took place in the household of Jesus’ childhood:
“When his parents saw him, they were astonished. His mother said to him, ‘ “Son, why have you treated us like this? Your father and I have been anxiously searching for you.” ‘ ‘ “Why were you searching for me?” ‘ he asked. ‘ “Didn’t you know I had to be in my Father’s house?” ‘ But they did not understand what he was saying to them. Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them. But his mother treasured all these things in her heart. And Jesus grew in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and men” (Luke 2: 48-52,emphasis provided). Whenever there is a departure from the modus operandi of any household, there is usually some amount of tension. The decisive issue here is that everyone listen to God’s call, and follow according to God’s plan for our individual lives. We are saved as individuals! In many cases, it does not have to represent a rupture in the family unit; sometimes all it takes is some adjusting, “Then he went down to Nazareth with them and was obedient to them.” Jesus was obedient to His heavenly Parent, as well as to His earthly parent, without compromise!
We will continue with this same thought tomorrow!