Matthew 10:34-42
Jesus Sends Out His Disciples
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 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.’
37 “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.38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.
40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 41 Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is my disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”
John 1:1-4
The Word Became Flesh
1 In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God. 2 He was with God in the beginning. 3 Through him all things were made; without him nothing was made that has been made. 4 In him was life, and that life was the light of all mankind.
Matthew 5:11
People Will Persecute You Sometimes, When You Talk about Jesus
11 Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me.
Matthew 28:16-20
The Great Commission
16 Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. 17 When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. 18 Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.
When Jesus sent out His Disciples, I do not know what they would have expected...He is such an unusual, amazing, and Divine Man -what would you expect to happen?...People and missionaries are still going out and teaching about our LORD and our God, even today...They are familiarizing everyone around the entire world with His teachings and people are learning about Him...I might suspect people today would react similarly to those in His day...
When He sent out His Twelve, the talk He gives them is almost completely controversial... And if it is not controversial to you, then you completely believe in Him and the He is Divine, and He is the priority in your life...He said, “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...Whoever does not take up their cross and follow Me is not worthy of Me...Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for My sake will find it...“Anyone who welcomes you welcomes e, and anyone who welcomes Me welcomes the One who sent Me...Whoever welcomes a prophet as a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and whoever welcomes a righteous person as a righteous person will receive a righteous person’s reward...And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones who is My disciple, truly I tell you, that person will certainly not lose their reward.”...
The Life of Jesus is an amazing part of our human history…He, of course, is meant for the world, and to be worldly...This is because all things are made through Him...He lived two thousand years ago, and His influence seems to me to be as powerful and controversial as when He walked the earth…No matter if you are new to learning about Him or have read about Him and have known Him for years...He is completely amazing...
With all the worldly troubles we read about in today's news, He and His teachings still reverberates and influences those who believe in Him…Many people, of His time, were pharisaic about His teachings and ways…Others were confused by the miracles He could do…He did things His Way, The Way…He personally saw little need for social status, social classes, and the status quo…Everyone was an equal in His eyes…The color of your skin does not matter to Him, nor does your gender...He surprised a lot of people teaching about Samaritans and talking to Samaritan women...And His eyes have been the only eyes ever to see the world in its proper ways and context…It is because He created the world, and all the world is made through Him…He was not afraid to change the status quo, and when He tried through His teachings and His acts, His opponents wanted Him killed…
Jesus remains the Life and Light of all mankind...And in terms of His controversial style and teachings, Jesus remains that way…But of course He said that long, long ago…