Podcast Introduction

Our reading today is Matt 8-10. After that I’ll have some comments. Then we’ll do our “On This Day In Church History” segment, and we’ll have a short time of prayer. 

Thoughts on Matthew 10

32Everyone therefore who confesses me before men, him I will also confess before my Father who is in heaven. 33But whoever denies me before men, him I will also deny before my Father who is in heaven.

Matthew 10:32-33

Those are the words of Jesus. Our Savior and our Lord. You know what “Lord” means, right? It means “one having authority and power over others”. So if he said those words, it’s critically important that we make a stand for Christ, publicly. People need to know that we are followers of Jesus.  

Way back in the olden days, 1979, there was a song by a guy who went by the name of Gary S. Paxton. The name of  the song was Evidence. One of the verses said, 

If you were arrested for being a Christian
Would there be enough evidence to help convict you
If they took you in front of a panel of judges
Could they find a staunch witness to help convict you

Evidence, Gary S. Paxton

That song has been with me, in the back of my mind for over 40 years. I want there to be so much evidence that if I’m ever put on trial for my faith in Jesus that it’ll be the world’s shortest trial. Open and shut. The prosecuting attorney will have the easiest summation ever: “Ladies and gentlemen of the jury. You see the volumes of evidence against Mr. Webb. Do your duty.” And the jury goes into the jury room, takes a preliminary vote, which is a unanimous GUILTY. 

What would your trial be like?

I like what Spurgeon said: “What Christ is to you on earth, that you will be to Christ in heaven. I shall repeat that truth. Whatever Jesus Christ is to you on earth, you will be to him in the day of judgment. If he be dear and precious to you, you will be precious and dear to him. If you thought everything of him, he will think everything of you.”

The next part disturbs some people:

34 “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword. 35For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36A man’s foes will be those of his own household. 37He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me. 38He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me. 39He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.

Matthew 34-39

This statement about not coming to send peace kind of flies in the face of what we usually think about Jesus. What gives? 

Of course the overall message of Jesus was one of peace. Look at the Sermon on the Mount. If a man strikes you on one cheek, turn the other. If you are compelled to walk a mile, walk two. And so on. What Jesus meant by this statement here is that he requires such a life changing commitment to Him, that some people will reject Him. That act of rejection will divide people, even entire households. And the commitment to Him must take priority over everything and everyone else.

Ok. So I understand how that might sound harsh to some ears. But hang with  me for a moment. Think of what Jesus did. He gave up the glories of Heaven to be born a helpless, human baby. In a stable, surrounded by animals and their waste. He lived not in a palace, but a working class home. In a fairly primitive time. He lived a sinless life, only to be mercilessly tortured and executed. And Romans 5:8 says he did this “while we were still sinners…”. So, the way I see it, the least I can do for Him is put Him at the tippy top of my priorities. 

And by the way, He is not a hard taskmaster. Next week in chapter 11 we’ll read Jesus’ words, “28 “Come to me, all you who labor and are heavily burdened, and I will give you rest. 29Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me, for I am gentle and humble in heart; and you will find rest for your souls. 30For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

While there can be a cost for following Jesus, the eternal benefits tip the scales heavily in favor of being a Christian. 

Today’s Bible Translation

Bible translation used in today’s episode: Ch. 8 ERV, Ch. 9-10 WEB

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