As Jesus is wrapping up the Sermon on the Mount, he tells his followers that they must be willing to give up everything for him. Following Jesus is not something that will unify you with those of the world, but something that will divide you from them. There is no neutrality with Jesus. There is no a little of Jesus and a little of everything else. He demands supremacy in our lives.
In this season preparing for Easter when we remember Christ bearing the cross for us, it is good to remember that Jesus asks that we do the same, to take up our cross in obedience to Him.
Matthew 10:34-39
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person's enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
[ WHAT ] is this passage saying and what is a key truth or thought that we learn?
+ What does Jesus say his kingdom will bring? What does he mean? How do we understand this in the context of the angels singing “Peace on earth, good will to men” at his birth? (v. 34)
+ What kind of division does Jesus mention?
+ By v. 37 he clarifies what will cause this division. What is the follower of Jesus called to do? What does he mean?
+ What does it mean to take up your cross? (v. 38-39) Why is it so important?
+ The richness of these paradoxes! How in finding your life will you lose it, and in losing your life for Jesus’ sake mean that you will find it? (v. 39)
+ What does this say about Jesus, his kingdom, and the cost of obedience?
[ HOW ] is the Lord calling me to action/obedience?
+ Is there a sin to confess or a next step to take? How has it gone since last time?
+ Where in my life am I taking up my cross? Where in my life do I need to take up my cross and surrender to Christ?
[ WHO ] am I walking with and praying for to discover Jesus?
+ What is my next step?
+ Do I have relationships that are difficult because the other person does not understand my faith and the decisions I make because of my faith? How can I continue to extend grace to them while still keeping Christ supreme?