Overview of: MatthewToday's Reading:
Matthew 10:1 – 11:30
"The Apostles and John the Baptist"
Focus Verses: Matthew 10:37-39
37 "Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; 38 and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it."
Insight:
It seems counterintuitive, but loving God more than anything or anyone, including yourself (especially yourself), is actually the best and most loving thing you can do for others and yourself. It's in losing our lives in surrender to Jesus that we find our deepest and richest self. The life I find, by loving Jesus above all else, fills me and enriches me in ways that result in my being more ready and more able to give more love to others. Jesus calls me to love him most because it prepares and teaches me how to love others best.
Response and Action:
I will put Jesus first in my life. By putting him first I hope to become the truest, deepest, and most loving person I can be. By loving him more than others, I hope to be able to love others more.
O Christ, help me to love you above all else. Help me to find myself in you. By the power and grace of your Spirit and the guidance of your word, lead teach, transform, shape, and strengthen me, that I might become more and more able to serve and love others. Amen.
Old Testament for Today: Psalm 126:5-6
5 Those who sow in tears will reap with songs of joy. 6 He who goes out weeping, carrying seed to sow, will return with songs of joy, carrying sheaves with him.
In Context: Psalm 126
Proverb for Today: Prov. 23:23
"Buy the truth and do not sell it; get wisdom, discipline and understanding."
Recommended Reading:
The Life You've Always Wanted
by John Ortberg
