Matthew 10:34-42
Q.1. How did Jesus explain that He was bringing a sword on earth? What makes a disciple worthy of Him? How high are the stakes for His followers? – (Mt.10:34-39)
World leaders are pre-occupied with brokering peace. Jesus had no such allusions about this broken world. He knew that the Gospel would bring a sword, even at times into the experience of families. He was not advocating making war, as He reminded Peter in Gethsemane (Mt.26:51-56), and Pilate at His trial (Jn.18:36). However, following Christ will bring division, because people don’t like to accept that they are in need of a Saviour. The Gospel is not accessed through blood lines (c.f. Jn.1:13). To follow Christ requires placing Him above all other family ties. For a Jew to be baptized in the name of Jesus, it could mean being disowned and disinherited – A man’s enemies will be from his own household Mt.10:36). To be worthy of God’s unfathomable love, we need to love Christ the most, even though this may be interpreted as a lack of love for family members – even our parents (Mt.10:37 & 39). Jesus expects total allegiance to Him – and he who does not take his cross and follow after Me is not worthy of Me (Mt.10:38). Following Jesus will involve carrying our own cross. You may think that nothing on earth could be worth such a choice. Here is the paradox. In giving up your life for Christ, you actually find real life that never ends.
Q.2. How far-reaching is our mission? How can we share in the rewards of the ministry? What mark of discipleship did Jesus highlight? – (Mt.10:40-42)
Receiving Christ is synonymous with receiving God the Father (Mt.10:40). Since everyone has a unique calling, not all will be as prominent, or attract the same public attention. However, we are to stand in solidarity with those who are called to the role of a prophet or are called to make a stand for righteousness (Mt.10:41). If we do this, we will share in the rewards equally (1 Sam.30:24-25). Jesus added a reward for those who actively show compassion to the little ones and the defenceless – whoever in the name of a disciple gives to one of these little ones (i.e. the least of these – Greek: mikros) even a cup of cold water to drink, truly I say to you, he shall not lose his reward (Mt.10:42 c.f. Mt.25:40 & 45). A disciple of Christ is compassionate toward his brothers and sisters in Christ, and shares in their trials (Gal.6:10).