Matthew the apostle shared how Jesus told His disciples, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household”, and in chapter ten and verse thirty-seven of his book, Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples who, “is not worthy of” Him where we read:
He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:
and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.
The verse reads, “He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me:” Matthew began with the words, “he that loves” which means “the person whether male or female who is affectionately or kindly welcome to, fond of and has sentiment or feeling toward” “father or mother” or “the male progenitor or ancestor and the female progenitor or ancestor” “more than me” which means “to a greater degree and beyond Jesus Himself” “is not worthy” or “is not befitting, congruous or merited” “of me” which means “pertaining to Jesus”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples that even a “love” for their own parents could not be “more” than a “love” for Him.
The verse goes on to say, “and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.” Matthew continues with the words, “and he that loves” which means “and the person whether male or female who is affectionately or kindly welcome to, fond of and has sentiment or feeling toward” “son or daughter” or “their male offspring, posterity or descendant and their female offspring, posterity or descendant” “more than me” which means “to a greater degree and beyond Jesus Himself” “is not worthy” or “is not befitting, congruous or merited” “of me” which refers to “pertaining to Jesus”. Matthew shared how Jesus told His disciples that people who love their “children” more than Him are not “worthy” of Him.
When we think through Matthew's words in this verse, we see how Jesus declared that no loving family relationship should be greater than a “love” for Him. People generally “love” their family, and to threaten a love for their family causes many reactions which are sometimes hostile. However, when we think this through, if it were not for God's provision, we would have no family at all to “love” and be “loved” by. God supplied our families, and whether they are “father, mother, son or daughter” none of them would exist for us if God did not furnish them. He is to be “loved” supremely, and out of a person's “love” for God and His Son Jesus they will “love” their family more than they ever have before.
Next time Matthew shares how Jesus told His disciples, “he that takes not his cross … is not worthy of” Him, so read ahead, and we shall join together then.
Until
tomorrow…there is more…
Look for the daily devotional book
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Sermon on the Mount” and the new poetry book "Random Mushrooms
Volumes I and II" and the new novel "Elizabeth County"
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