“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” (Matthew 10:35-36).
What does He mean, “Set against?” But then, why do we ask the question? We are all born in rebellion, and there are those who will come into the grace of Jesus and walk with Him. That immediately makes them opposed to those who continue in rebellion. And we know this from the hostility we receive when we speak of Christ in public. There are those who will walk with the Lord and those who will not.
Lord, I am sometimes torn in two between You and the world. I understand this inside myself. Help me to come to Your side fully so that You may eradicate the rebellion within me. Take away from me the surprise I have when I am confronted by this reality. You do not force others to come to You, and I cannot either. This includes members of my own household. My eyes need to be upon You.
Lord, there is rebellion within me and all around me. You are teaching me to look to You in, through and for all things. Guide me, Lord, so that I may be forever in Your presence. Help me to love those around me, for I do not know whether they will come into Your presence with praise, but for a time need to continue as a prodigal. I have enough to do with my own faith. Lead me to live in that faith today. Amen.
