Matthew 10:34-39
The King demands allegiance above every earthly bond, calling His disciples to take up the cross and lose life for His sake.
34 “Don’t think that I came to send peace on the earth. I didn’t come to send peace, but a sword.
35 For I came to set a man at odds against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.
36 A man’s foes will be those of his own household.
37 He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me isn’t worthy of me.
38 He who doesn’t take his cross and follow after me, isn’t worthy of me.
39 He who seeks his life will lose it; and he who loses his life for my sake will find it.
The King demands allegiance above every earthly bond, calling his disciples to take up the cross and lose life for his sake.
Matthew records Jesus clarifying that his mission will bring division where allegiance to him conflicts with even the closest family loyalties, and that true discipleship requires loving him supremely, taking up the cross, and losing life for his sake.
Jesus continues instructing the Twelve in the mission discourse.
The Mission of the Twelve, Costly Witness, and Allegiance to Christ
Jesus sends authorized workers into the harvest with kingdom authority, warning them that faithful witness will require dependence, discernment, courage, endurance, and supreme allegiance to him.