Scripture
35 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—
36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
Reflection
There is a cost to discipleship.
Suffering is not a popular message. People today do all that they can to avoid discomfort and sacrifice. We want a religion that conforms to our lives as opposed to us conforming our lives to a religion. We want to have experiences that are affirming, convenient, and easy, which makes this passage so fascinating.
Jesus quotes these verses from Micah at the height of his popularity. People were following Jesus to experience His blessings and miracles firsthand, but in this verse he responds by telling them that there is a COST to being His disciple.
So, what are the costs? Basically anything that has supremacy in our hearts over Christ alone. For some, that is career. For others, vanity. While for others, it is family. And while God affirms and values the institution of family, He alone must be at the center of our lives. All other things are secondary, which can be destructive for some families in which allegiance to family dynamics are not to be challenged.
What is the cost of following Jesus for you? Is it reputation? Pleasure? Friendships? Romantic relationships? Wealth? Status? Whatever it is, nothing compares to the greatness of knowing Christ Jesus as Lord (Phil 3:8) (Charlie).
Thoughts for the day
- What does this passage tell you about God, Jesus and man?
- What do you feel God is telling you through these passages?
- How can you apply this message in an area of your life that needs transformation?
- Is there anyone you can share this message with?
Prayer
Pray for the leaders of the nations of the world. Pray for the leader of your home country by name.
