We're going to start off talking about Christian coffee mugs. Have you noticed that most that fit this criterion are pretty specific types of Bible verses? Yeah, there are definitely some passages that don't end up on a mug, or a t-shirt. Like the passage we're reading today.

Some of the things Jesus says here are hard to digest. They don't necessarily fit the image we have of a gentle prophet and shepherd inviting us to join him. They're a bit harsher and direct.

Do not be afraid. Jesus says it three times in this little section of teaching. We'll hang here for a few moments. Fear shrinks us. Fear makes us want to hide. Fear tells us to be quiet, to not shake things up or else we're going to lose people; real relationships might disappear. He's trying to tell it like it is, trying to prepare them. Following Jesus is costly. You will be afraid.

Then he says the thing about the student not being above the teacher. In other words, Jesus is saying, "If they misunderstand me, they'll misunderstand you. If they mock me, they'll mock you. If they call me evil, they'll call you all sorts of things." We spend way too much time and energy trying to make people like us. But there's a weird kind of freedom that comes when we stop trying to get everyone's approval. We're then free to get down to the business of actually loving people.

Then he says the thing about what he tells them in the dark they should speak in the daytime. Faith often grows in the dark. They've been listening to Jesus privately for some months. Now it's time to live it in public. What could that look like?

Then he says the thing about not bringing peace, but a sword. We're not talking about a sharp metal thing. We're talking about the truth Jesus brings. It brings division. Not because Jesus enjoys division, people just respond to truth differently. When people give their loyalty to Jesus above all others, even families don't understand. It's why he says the thing about fathers and mothers.

Then he says the thing about taking up a cross and following him. The disciples aren't hearing jewelry that they could wear around their neck. They're hearing death. We ought to hear death, too. The death of self. The death of ego. The death of always having to be right. Little deaths everyday until resurrection is possible.

We could be afraid. Or we could remember the thing Jesus says about the sparrows. Easily overlooked. Ordinary. But God sees them. And we're worth more than many sparrows. We are known and loved and held by the divine. Sometimes knowing that gives us all the courage we need to follow Jesus.

Speaker: Aaron Vis

Scripture: Matthew 10:24-39

http://bible.com/events/49626856