Matthew 10:37-39
Find a place and time free of distractions for the next 7-10 minutes. Sit comfortably and breathe deeply for a few seconds before you begin. As you breathe in, say the name of Jesus and become aware of his presence with you. As you breathe out, open your mind and heart to receive whatever Jesus has for you today.
Today’s passage begins the summation of Jesus’ preparation of his closest disciples before he sends them out to share the Good News of God’s Kingdom. As you read Matthew 10:37-39 try to imagine what the disciples might be thinking or feeling as they listen to Jesus.
At times in the Gospels, we see people change their minds about following Jesus (e.g. John 6:61-66, Luke 9:57-62), but among these closest disciples there are no deserters. Though they often misunderstand Jesus, and sometimes only partly grasp what he tells them, they seem to know in their souls that true life can only be found in Jesus.
It may seem harsh at first glance to think about loving Jesus above all others – even one’s own family - but in learning to love Jesus supremely we are set free to love others. Love can only be shown when it is known, and we begin to know what love really is as we follow Jesus and experience his love.
Take a moment to contemplate what it might look like for you to love Jesus above all else and all others. Talk with Jesus about this sharing your thoughts openly and honestly.
Read Matthew 10:37-39 again focusing on Jesus’ words about life.
This is the first time Jesus mentions the cross in Matthew’s Gospel, but Roman crucifixions were a sad fact of life for first century Israelites so the disciples would understand the metaphor. This isn’t a message for the masses - Jesus is calling his closest followers to lose their lives in order to find true life.
For these disciples the risk of losing their actual, physical lives was real, and tradition tells us that many of them did give their lives to spread Jesus’ message and mission. But most people reading this will not face that kind of risk.
The risk we face is that we’ll get caught up in some lesser way of living and miss the reality of the Good News. Because of Jesus and what he did for us, we can be restored to God and restored to become the people God created us to be. We can live lives of meaning and purpose as we become Jesus’ agents of blessing and restoration to the world around us. This is a calling we can’t afford to miss.
For the last minutes of this time of meditation, share your thoughts and feelings about Jesus’ words with him and then enter into a time of silence and listening. You might want to write out this dialogue as a prayer.
Even if you aren’t completely sure what Jesus is saying to you today, do you have an idea about something he is inviting you to do?
What will you do about that?
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The Everyday Jesus Follower’s Guide ebook can help you learn how to recognize God's voice, how to read and understand the Bible, how to develop deep spiritual friendships, and how to become the person you were meant to be. Use it alone, with a friend or in a small group.
