When Following Jesus Creates Family Problems? Matthew 10:37-42

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. 

Jesus continues the theme from yesterday about the disciples commitment to him.  Remember this is specifically in the context of the disciples answering the call to follow him for the next three years.  Jesus is not abolishing the 4th commandment to honor your mother and father.  The context of this is that nothing should get in the way of one's discipleship to Jesus including relationships within your family. 

"Christ is infinitely above all creatures, he is to be loved above the nearest and dearest relations and friends; being God over all blessed for ever, and also the Saviour and Redeemer; which itself, makes him more amiable and lovely than a common parent." Gill

38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 

Though Jesus had not gone to the cross yet, everybody knew what the cross symbolized.  But later as they witnessed Jesus carrying his cross to Golgotha they probably remembered these words he spoken to them early on.  

"When a person took a cross in Jesus’ day, it was for one reason: to die. The ancient Roman cross did not negotiate, did not compromise, and did not make deals. There was no looking back when you took up your cross, and your only hope was in resurrection life."

Given the previous comments of what it means to die to oneself and say "yes" to Jesus, one can only imagine how "jarring" these words must have been to Jesus' new recruits.  I think I would have thought, "Did I really sign up for this when I said "yes" to Jesus?"

39 Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.

Jesus presents a paradox here.  In the context "finds their life" refers to someone who was not willing to follow Jesus. Whereas whoever was willing to "lose their life" would find life in its truest and fullest sense.  Here Jesus is encouraging the disciples to think about the benefits they were going to receive by giving their lives to him.  As Jesus says in John 10:10, "I have come to give you life and life to the full"  

The other sense of the word "their" life is the temporal vs. eternal nature of our lives.  This is supported by the fact that the Greek meaning of the word life is "psyche", which is the word for "soul" or the part of us that is eternal.  

40 “Anyone who welcomes you welcomes me, and anyone who welcomes me welcomes the one who sent me. 

Jesus continues to teach the apostles that they represent him.  The term apostle, "apostolos" in the Greek, means ambassador or representative.  As a representative of Jesus, they bring Jesus with them in everything they do.  Therefore, any rejection of the apostles is by nature a rejection of him.  Since God the Son reveals the true nature and character of God the Father, when someone welcomes the disciples they welcome God the Father too.  

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. 

As people receive and welcome the disciples and those will come after them, they will receive a reward commensurate to the ministry they have supported.  For instance, a prophet imparts God's word both for the present and the future.  The one who receives him will receive God's Word directly and will be blessed as they listen and respond to it.  A righteous person is one whose life is marked by obedience and showing the same kindness and goodness Jesus offered to others.  It is summed up by the phrase, "love thy neighbor as theyself."  Welcoming a Christian brings the benefits of the One living inside of them, Jesus Christ. 

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.”

Similar to verse 42, as someone cares for their basic needs and is hospitable to the disciples, they will also receive their reward.  On the flipside when the disciples received these gifts it would remind them of God giving them "their daily bread".  

"He sent his apostles into a cold, unfriendly world, and he took care of them. So none that trust Him shall lack. The righteous shall not be forsaken. The God who has in His hand all the pearls of the ocean, the gold in the heart of the earth, and the cattle on a thousand hills, and that feeds the raven when it cries, will hear the cries of His children and supply their needs."(Barnes)

What does it mean for you to "pick up your cross" and follow Jesus?  What are the things you need to "die to" in order to be freed up to follow Jesus more closely?  Do your parents and friends support your "walk with Christ"?  If yes, give thanks to do God. If no, pray for God to bring them to Christ.  Your example of being a Christ follower will not go unnoticed.