“Students are not greater than their teacher, and slaves are not greater than their master. Students are to be like their teacher, and slaves are to be like their master. And since I, the master of the household, have been called the prince of demons, the members of my household will be called by even worse names! “But don’t be afraid of those who threaten you. For the time is coming when everything that is covered will be revealed, and all that is secret will be made known to all. What I tell you now in the darkness, shout abroad when daybreak comes. What I whisper in your ear, shout from the housetops for all to hear! “Don’t be afraid of those who want to kill your body; they cannot touch your soul. Fear only God, who can destroy both soul and body in hell. What is the price of two sparrows—one copper coin? But not a single sparrow can fall to the ground without your Father knowing it. And the very hairs on your head are all numbered. So don’t be afraid; you are more valuable to God than a whole flock of sparrows. “Everyone who acknowledges me publicly here on earth, I will also acknowledge before my Father in heaven. But everyone who denies me here on earth, I will also deny before my Father in heaven. “Don’t imagine that I came to bring peace to the earth! I came not to bring peace, but a sword. ‘I have come to set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. Your enemies will be right in your own household!’ “If you love your father or mother more than you love me, you are not worthy of being mine; or if you love your son or daughter more than me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you refuse to take up your cross and follow me, you are not worthy of being mine. If you cling to your life, you will lose it; but if you give up your life for me, you will find it. “Anyone who receives you receives me, and anyone who receives me receives the Father who sent me. If you receive a prophet as one who speaks for God, you will be given the same reward as a prophet. And if you receive righteous people because of their righteousness, you will be given a reward like theirs. And if you give even a cup of cold water to one of the least of my followers, you will surely be rewarded.”
Matthew 10:24-42 NLT
Jesus challenges His followers to have the love of God sink down to their very essence. At first these words seem harsh: Jesus will deny us if we deny Him? We are supposed to love Him more than our children? Following Him might mean parents will disown us? How can this be the love of God? When we reflect on the teachings of Christ, and trust enough to live them out, they make perfect sense—including the sword, the denial, and the division. The love of God is more than we could ever imagine. Loving Him does not make us love others less but more. When we love anything more than God, it hurts our relationship with God and with others—thus the sword, the denial, and the division.
When we accept the love of the Lord down to the core, we are changed. We are willing to suffer, be insulted, and face rejection—even when rejected by a spouse, parents, children, or friends. Refuse to retaliate and hear God’s voice more than theirs. Don’t be afraid but show His love to the ones who hate. A life of hate is its own internal, eternal punishment. Pray for them, love them, but do not become like them. Invite them into the love of God. Even if the ones who hate kill Christians, humans have no power to destroy the soul. Death has been defeated. God’s love gives us eternal security and drives out all fear.
Being a witness for Christ is telling others about Jesus and living the love of Christ in the midst of a broken world. This is the powerful love of the Lord that transforms lives and can change the world.
How do you hold on to the love of God in a world of hate, shame, and rejection? How will you commit to being a witness this week?
