Matthew 10:17-42
Reflect
In this passage, Jesus is sending out His 12 disciples to minister to the people of Israel. It is in this setting that Jesus reminds them of the cost of following Him. In verse 34 Jesus says, “do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” In Isaiah, Jesus is described as being the prince of peace so how do we reconcile this?
The finished work of Christ on the cross has satisfied the wrath of God for our sin as believers. We now have peace with God. But choosing Jesus, and aligning ourselves with Jesus, doesn’t always bring peace in our relationships. Many people over the course of history that have chosen Jesus have lost their lives or been ostracized from their families. Not all of us face those types of ramifications, but there is always a cost to following Jesus.
When we follow Jesus, we make Him our priority. We love Him more than anyone or anything else. We deny ourselves and what we want, and we surrender to life lived God’s way.
Apply
What is Jesus asking you to surrender to Him today?
What does it mean for you to align yourself with Jesus? What is the cost of doing this?
Erin Gibbard
Pray
- Pray for Pastor Dan, our Lead Team Pastor and his family.
- Pray for our Young Adults Pastor, Nathanael Trinh, his ministry, and his family.
- Pray for our Congregational Life Pastor, Melissa Chaffee and her family.
- Pray for our Communications Specialist, Katrina Grey.
- Pray for our McKernan Groups Assistant, Noah Okken.
- Pray for all our small group leaders.
- Pray for our Young Adults Ministry Assistant, Shone Williams.