The Tough Road Ahead Part 2

Matthew 10:24-42

I realized after today that Thursdays are going to be the toughest days of this semester. Today was just really really really bad. By the end of today I was drained. I couldn't do anything but stare blankly at my computer. I was so tired I couldn't sleep. Here's what my schedule looks like for Thursday:

10:30am-11:20am Chinese 202
11:30am-2:20pm ECE 440 Lab
2:30pm-5:20pm ECE Senior Design Lab

Yes, 10:30 to 5:20 straight. No breaks. No lunch. Just classes. And I wish they were just lectures. No, they're labs. They require effort. I'm just glad it's over. Before I came home, I went to Chipotle to grab a burrito because I thought it would fill me up and give me some energy. It just made me more tired lol. And then I spent the next 3 hours reading stuff on the Internet, watching Youtube videos, and being a complete waste of space. I need to find a better way to make my Thursdays efficient.

Anyways enough complaining and looking back at what a terrible Thursday it was and will be. I think my blogs have been a place to come complain about everything. I'm sorry if it's depressing you guys. :( I'll try to brighten up a little more on my blogs. I swear I'm not a depressing person. Well I think so anyway. To brighten up my day, I had a discussion with my buddy about the greatness that is Vince Carter. How I wish I could dunk...



The Meaning Of Discipleship
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2010:24-39;&version=31;

This is a continuation from yesterday's reading about the disciples. Jesus continues to advise them and tell them what they're going to face. He tells them that it is good enough to be like the teacher. He tells the disciples not to be afraid for they will not be able to break the soul. They can do anything to the body, but nothing to the soul. Only God holds that power. He is the only one we should truly fear. This is a rather important concept and gives us a reason to stay strong and bold. We should not be afraid of what others may think of us. God is on our side. Nobody is stronger than God. Be strong.

Jesus talks about acknowledgement. If we acknowledge Him, He will in turn acknowledge us. Similarly, if we disown Him, He will do the same. That's a pretty clear cut deal. It also really tests our faith a little. We can't do this 50/50 business with Jesus. It's 100% or 0%. You believe Him or you don't.

How serious does Jesus take this? Pretty darn seriously. Look what He has to say about it. He claims He did not come to create peace but rather the opposite. He brought a SWORD. He says anyone who puts someone else before Him, He will disown. Ouch. Even parents, children, and anyone you may love. Nobody should come before Jesus. Now when you first read this, it sounds rather harsh. It sounds selfish. But this is how much trust and faith we need to have in Jesus. At the end of the day, He is all that matters. This is still a hard concept for me to swallow, but that's just the way it is. He said it, and what He says is truth.

One interesting part about this reading is where Jesus says to take up the cross. This clearly happened way before His death, yet he mentions cross. I don't know if that was just the thing to say back in the day (kind of like how we say "I'd die for you") or if He meant to say that on purpose. I just thought it was interesting.

The Reward Of Service
Reading: http://www.biblegateway.com/passage/?search=matthew%2010:40-42;&version=31;

Thankfully He doesn't end it on that note because so far all He told the disciples was a list of instructions and things they should not do. He ends with what will result. He promises them the rightful reward. He will make sure it is a just reward. He doesn't necessarily specify what that may be, but He gives them His word. That may make it a little harder to follow, but that's where faith comes into play again. Faith is so crucial. It's tough, and I still struggle with it. I need to grow stronger...

Summary:

The Meaning Of Discipleship
24-31 Jesus says that no student is above his teacher and no servant is above his master. The best they can do is be like them. Thus, He tells the disciples to not be afraid. They can take their bodies, but not their souls. They are very valuable to the Lord.
32-33 Jesus states taht whoever acknowledges Him, will be acknowledged in Heaven.
34-39 Jesus did not come for peace but rather with a sword. He will disown anyone who puts another person before Him. This includes family and any other loved ones. He states that whoever does not take up the cross with Him is not worthy. Whoever dies in His sake will find life.

The Reward Of Service
40-42 Jesus says that whoever receives Him will receive God. Whoever receives the prophet will receive the prophet's reward and the righteous will receive the reward of a righteous. He promises nobody will lose his reward.