The children of Israel had become enslaved to the Egyptians. Yet they continued to multiply. Because of this, Pharaoh commanded that every male child of the Hebrews should be killed.
Our Gospel reading today from Matthew 10 contains some pretty controversial words from Jesus. “I have come to bring not peace but the sword.” And this: “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; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me.”
I don’t know about you, but I love my parents. (Even though my dad is deceased.) I love my wife passionately. And I love my children with every fiber of my being. But I also know that this love must pale in comparison to the love I have for Jesus. It’s a lot to ask, but Jesus insists that we (His disciples) put Him first in our lives. Interestingly enough, when we do that, our love for our folks and our spouse and our kids grows even greater.
Father, teach us to love Jesus more – more than anyone or anything. And let our love for your people grow as a result. Amen.
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