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.”
The Holy Bible : English standard version. 2001 (Mt 10:34-42). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Whoever loves their children more than God is not worthy of God. Moses wrote that you must Love God with your entire Heart entire Mind and entire Soul. He even adds the command to Love your neighbor as yourself. You are not supposed to Love God as yourself, but more than your closest family. Otherwise you are not worthy of Christ.
Jesus tells us he has come to split families apart. Jesus comes with a sword. Those whom you lean upon for your needs are nothing compared to Jesus. Jesus is the one we looked to for help in our time of need. Jesus is the prophet who comes to bring life to his people.
You can not place others over him. But we share in our Love for the LORD. We call upon him in times of drought. We give thanks to him in times of plenty. Therefore, even if my parents and family be taken from me, I give him love and praise. Luther would remind us these people are only the masks of God. It is God the Father who has given you life. It is God the Son who has redeemed your life from the pit. It is the Holy Spirit who continues to call you to faith.
Take up your cross and the burdens of life and follow your life giver. Take up the last of all you have and follow the Lord through the Valley of Death to New Life in Christ Jesus our Savior.
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