Scripture

Matthew 10:37-38 (New Century Version)

“Those who love their father or mother more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers. Those who love their son or daughter more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers. Whoever is not willing to carry the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Consider

The challenge Jesus raises in his statement is as much about loyalty as it is about love. He warns us that following him may put us at odds with those we love best, and when we are forced to choose, we must be clear about where to take our stand.

Even if a family member is a believer, sin gets in our way and creates tension when one person wants to follow God and the other would rather follow his or her own way. To love Jesus means to love his ways and to desire his approval above the approval of any human being. When we are tempted to compromise our values in order to appease our parent or sibling or child, Jesus advises: If you want to shine for someone, shine for Me. Don’t let anyone pull your hand out of mine.

This same principle applies when anger and bitterness—the flip side of love—block the voice of Jesus in our lives. We can imagine him adding the following corollary: Those who hate or resent someone more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers.

If you’ve ever been in the throes of resentment—so angry and bitter you can hardly see straight—then you know how difficult it is in that moment to remember how much you love Jesus. Choosing his way of love and forgiveness holds little appeal. Fortunately, he tells us to follow him, not to blaze a new trail all by ourselves. He doesn’t ask us to do anything he has not already done himself. In his humanity he suffered betrayal, ridicule, false accusations, abuse—all the anguish of living in this fallen world, yet he never failed to put God’s ways first or to love God above all else.

In loving Jesus first, we commit to following his example even when it means disappointing someone we love or letting go of a grudge we’ve nursed and cherished.

Pray

FATHER, you know my family history. You know which ties can still tangle me up and challenge my walk with you. Help me to keep your banner in plain sight when my loyalties waver. Teach me how to love my family with healthy love that never seeks to displace you from your rightful place as Lord of my life.

Reflect

Deuteronomy 10:20;  1 Peter 2:21-23

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When has a family difficulty pulled you away from God?