"Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I came not to send peace, but a sword. For I am come to set a man at variance against his father, and the daughter against her mother, and the daughter in law against her mother in law. And a man's foes shall be they of his own household. He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And he that taketh not his cross, and followeth after me, is not worthy of me. He that findeth his life shall lose it: and he that loseth his life for my sake shall find it. He that receiveth you receiveth me, and he that receiveth me receiveth him that sent me. He that receiveth a prophet in the name of a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward; and he that receiveth a righteous man in the name of a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whosoever shall give to drink unto one of these little ones a cup of cold water only in the name of a disciple, verily I say unto you, he shall in no wise lose his reward."
Today's lesson demonstrates how Jesus knew, and warned, that there would be those who would take up His cross to do His work and how by doing so they would cause all manner of dissention between themselves, their families, friends and neighbors.
Historically, the majority of the world has fought against the true gospel of Jesus Christ as if it were a plague on humanity. But, praise God His church and His truth have prevailed against all enemies just as He promised it would: "And I say also unto thee, That thou art Peter, and upon this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it." (Matthew 16:18)
Jesus challenged all of us whom have placed our faith in Him to step out and defend His truth against all who try to quash it, at all cost. To those who gladly accept that challenge Jesus promised everlasting life. To those who deny it, hell awaits.~
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