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Transcription
In today's Daily Devotion, we read from Matthew chapter 10. Jesus says he did not come to bring peace, but a sword. He knew that following Him would divide people, even within families. Jesus wants us to prioritize Him over our family. He didn't want to divide families, but knew it would happen when people had to choose to follow Him. Today, the choice to follow Jesus is still offered to everyone. Join in worship in person or online to continue following Him. Welcome to Christchurch's Daily Devotion for March 3rd, 2024. Today we will be reading from Matthew chapter 10, verses 34 through 37. Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword, for I have come to turn a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. A man's enemies will be the members of his own household. Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me. Anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. This is one of those jarring passages in the Bible. From the overall message and activity of Jesus' ministry, we know that He came to save the whole world. He loves everybody and wants every person to follow Him, but He also demands that all who follow Him are to live by the teaching and example that He set. They are to believe in Him and live His way. Not everyone chooses to do that, and He knew that. So He knew that in asking people to make a choice between His way and the way of the world, people would be divided. People, even religious leaders, would be willing to kill Him and His followers because they so rejected what He had to offer and somehow believed that what He was teaching and doing was bad for people. Sometimes that divideness would happen even within families, just as God had stated in the first of the Ten Commandments. Following Jesus had to be a top priority in one's life, even over family. I don't believe Jesus wanted to divide families and friends. He just knew that it is what would happen when He gave people the choice of whether to follow Him or not. The choice is still offered today to anyone and everyone, and that priority is still demanded. Your personal worship option today. Choose to follow Jesus today by joining us in worship either at 930 or 1115. The ideal choice is to join us in person, but if circumstances prevent that, join in online as we continue to follow Jesus to Jerusalem.
