Matthew 10:34-42
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
40 “Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives him who sent me. 41 The one who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet's reward, and the one who receives a righteous person because he is a righteous person will receive a righteous person's reward. 42 And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward.”
Reflection
Like Jesus, the disciples would encounter rejection (Matt. 10:14) and opposition (10:24–25), even from their own families (10:21–22, 35–37). Jesus does not promise that Christians will live free from pain and suffering on the earth. The work of God’s kingdom brings light into a world of darkness, but those who love darkness will hate the light (John 3:19–20).
Those who are willing to live their life for the sake of Jesus and his agenda will not regret their decision in the end. Following Jesus requires us to no longer live for ourselves (Matt. 10:38). It may cost us our comforts, our preferences, our friends, or even our very life, but those who are willing to lose their lives for Christ’s sake will find that they have actually entered into the life of an eternally satisfying relationship with him (v. 39).
Romans 8:31-39
31 What then shall we say to these things? If God is for us, who can be against us? 32 He who did not spare his own Son but gave him up for us all, how will he not also with him graciously give us all things? 33 Who shall bring any charge against God's elect? It is God who justifies. 34 Who is to condemn? Christ Jesus is the one who died—more than that, who was raised—who is at the right hand of God, who indeed is interceding for us. 35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? Shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or danger, or sword? 36 As it is written,“For your sake we are being killed all the day long; we are regarded as sheep to be slaughtered.”
37 No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. 38 For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, 39 nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Reflection
Paul declares the glories of “the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord” (Rom. 8:39). No one can prevent God’s purposes (v. 31). Since he gave Jesus (the ultimate treasure of heaven) for us, we can be assured that his care and his promises are unshakable for now and for eternity (v. 32; cf. v. 28). Any threat—Satan, circumstances, or even our own sin—shrivels in the presence of the risen Christ who is our advocate in heaven (vv. 33–34). There is nothing in the universe that can ever defeat God’s people because of what he has lovingly done for them in Jesus Christ (vv. 38–39).
Psalm 118:5-7
5 Out of my distress I called on the Lord; the Lord answered me and set me free. 6 The Lord is on my side; I will not fear. What can man do to me? 7 The Lord is on my side as my helper; I shall look in triumph on those who hate me.
Christ has destroyed the power of every threat to our eternal security. Pray that this truth will guard your heart today and empower you to live a life of radical love for others.