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‘A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, and the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! ‘So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground unperceived by your Father. And even the hairs of your head are all counted. So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. ‘Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. ‘Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother,and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it. (Matthew 10:24-39)
When I was growing up, movies were my life. I believe I spent every Saturday in the Texas Theatre in Kingsville, Texas. It did not matter what movie was showing, I knew Saturday mornings were geared for kids and for ten cents (10¢) I got in the theatre; for a nickel I bought a Coke (Cokes in those days came in, according to us, all colors and flavors as in "Give me an orange Coke!"), ten cents bought us a box of popcorn, and if we wanted to splurge, 15¢ bought us a hot dog. Candies were usually 5¢ for Snickers or Milky Ways. And the best part was that movies ran nonstop. Since my friend and I usually walked to the movies at the time permission was granted by my mom or dad, we usually did not arrive at the very start of the movie. Most times we came in towards the end; we'd see the movie end, and then stayed to see the beginning and the story that led up to how we already knew the movie ended. If the movie was good, we would stay and see the ending again; but depending on permission, we sometimes had to say, "This is where I came in," and leave.
Today's passage from Matthew's gospel is one of those passages where Jesus is revealing how the whole thing ends, and more importantly, Who wins. If you don't know the story, here's the spoiler: God wins! And because the end is not yet, life may prove challenging to us; but please wait to see how it all works out. God's in control, God loves and cares for you, see it through! The first part of the passage says this to me; humility before God blesses us. Recognize that Jesus is our teacher, and He teaches great things to us. If we learn the lessons of love and service, life becomes a breeze. Yes, there will be some tough times; not everyone will like you, and not everyone will be on your side, but with God on our side, the ending is great! Second lesson, don't be shy about Whose you are. You're on the winning side of life, wear the jersey that says, "God Wins and I'm on that team!" (there may not yet be such a shirt, but what I mean is live your life as a winner in the Lord). Brag on the Lord. Tell the great things God has done for you, and no matter the consequences of our witness, never give up on God. Become a true disciple, which means you are willing and able to do all things in Christ. Take up your cross is to identify with the challenges and trials that may come, and know that Christ is with you and know it will be Jesus Himself who will say, "This is where I come in; let me take over."
PRAYER: Loving God, come into my life again today. I again have to confess my sins and doubts, but I do so in faith of Your love, grace, and mercy. Help me be the person You have called me to be. As I take up my cross I do so knowing that You help me bear it and mine will be the victory of life here and life there. It is in the strong and awesome name of Jesus that I pray, amen.
Have a great and blessed day in the Lord. Wear the jersey of victory in Jesus!
Eradio Valverde
