The Notes

This coming Wednesday night, February 26, 2025, we continue our message series, Jesus Said What?  And this week's focus is on the number one most confusing encounter that Jesus ever had with someone.  It took place in the city of Tyre, and a Gentile woman came to Him for help.  But did Jesus ignore her and call her a dog?   These are the most perplexing words of Jesus, but we aim to make sense of this story from Matthew 15 and Mark 7, and share truth to build our faith.  Join us as we explain what He meant and receive some mid-week encouragement for the soul in the process!

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This past Wednesday night, February 19, 2025, we began a new Bible study series called, "Jesus Said What?"  We are looking at the more confusing or difficult words of Jesus. 

Now it is often said that water takes the path of least resistance, it goes where it is easiest to go.  That is true of people, too.  What I mean by that is when we read the Bible and come upon a confusing part, often we just keep going to read something less difficult, more easy to understand.  Then we stop.  But let's stop on the hard parts for the next four weeks.  Let's unpack what the words of Jesus are trying to tell us.

Doing so will give us insight, help us grow in maturity, and grow closer to Jesus.

In this first week, we looked at this scripture:

 Luke 14: 25-27 - "Large crowds were traveling with Jesus, and turning to them he said:  “If anyone comes to me and does not hate father and mother, wife and children, brothers and sisters—yes, even their own life—such a person cannot be my disciple.  And whoever does not carry their cross and follow me cannot be my disciple.”  

That's pretty shocking.  Jesus wants us to hate our lives?  Hate other people?   Hate our own family?

What about “Love your neighbor as yourself?"  Lev. 19:18.

What about “Whoever loves God must love his brother as well?"  1 John 4:21.  

What about “As I have loved you, so you also must love one another.  By this everyone will know that you are My disciples?" John 13:34-35.  

What about "Honor your father and mother?"  Exodus 20:12.  

Here's the first tip - when scripture is confusing, or even seems to be conflicting, look to more scripture.  That's because scripture interprets scripture.  We are fortunate that many stories in the gospels are repeated.  For instance, the story we just read in Luke 14 is also conveyed in Matthew's gospel.

So let's see if Matthew doesn't give us some clarity.

Matt. 10:37-38 - “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”

Well that sounds better; we don't have the word "hate" anymore.

But for even better clarity, let’s put those words of Jesus in context.   In the beginning of Matthew 10, Jesus is calling the 12 disciples to go out into the world; He gives them authority over cast out spirits and to heal every illness.  Then Jesus gives them instructions - which could be another whole message!  He tells them to take nothing for their journey, and to accept hospitality.  He says for them to stay where they are welcomed, and if they are not welcomed in a place, to shake the dust from their feet and move on.  He then says, "I am sending you out as sheep among wolves."  Jesus knows the problems that lie ahead, for the disciples and for all other followers of Jesus.  So He says don't fear, and don’t worry about what to say when you have to defend your faith and speak about Jesus.  He said, "God will give you the right words at the right time. For it is not you who will be speaking—it will be the Spirit of your Father speaking through you." (Matt. 10:19-20).  Then we get to the truly important part - at least for this Bible study.  Jesus explains that brother will betray brother; a father will betray his own child.  And verse 22 says, "And all nations will hate you because you are my followers."  What Jesus knows about the future is this - the disciples will be commissioned to go out into all the world and make disciples.  The immediate mission of Jesus at that time was to show the Jewish people that He is the Messiah.  But that news is generally not accepted.  The Pharisees and other leaders call this blasphemy.  And those Jews who do believe in Jesus face rejection.  They will be thrown out of the temple.  They will be kicked out of families.  A father will tell his children that if  they pursue following Jesus, they will be dead to him.  Those events from 1st century Israel continue today.  There are still followers of Jesus who face persecution for their beliefs. They will be rejected by family and abandoned by friends.  One very recent story is that of Maria, who converted from Islam to Christianity.  Her family kicked her out of their home because she believed in Jesus and her father said, "You are dead to me."  It's the words of Jesus coming true.  Many, even today, will face extreme sacrifice for their faith in Jesus and will be hated.

Jesus went on to say tot eh disciples - and to us - don't be afraid of those who kill the body; they can’t kill the soul.  He said if you will acknowledge Me publicly here on earth, I will acknowledge you in heaven.  And then in verse 34, Jesus returned again to this idea of division.  Jesus said He didn’t come to bring peace, but a sword.  Matthew 10:34-39 - “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.  For I have come to turn ‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—  a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

“Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.  Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.  Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”

In context, it becomes clear that Jesus is not saying, “hate others.”  He is saying, “love me more.”

Jesus knows that in our life, we will have choices, even ultimatums.  When you do, choose Jesus.  Take up your cross and publicly align yourself with Jesus.  He is the truth, the way, and the life.  The life we life with, and for Jesus, is worth any sacrifice.  It is the only choice that brings us eternal life in Heaven with God, and our Savior, Jesus.  So endure any hardship, and live worthy of the sacrifice Jesus made for us. 

To often we let other things come before Jesus; we let things interfere with our relationship with Him.  There is a line from the movie The Devil Wears Prada that says: “The person whose calls you always take, that’s the relationship you’re in.”  Do we take Jesus calls, or put Him on hold?  We put Him on hold - literally - when we give up time with Jesus for time with others.  We do that when we accept invitations to go places and do things with friends which take the place of worship or our time with Jesus.  Today, we minimize that.  But in Deuteronomy 13 – the people were instructed that if someone tries to turn you away from the Lord, they should be purged.  We need to be aware of letting other people take priority in our lives.  God must be first place.  

When we give our lives to Jesus, He gives it back to us, better. 

A life following Jesus has purpose, it matters for eternity.  And it will be fulfilling, even when it's sacrificial.

Look back at Luke’s story.  In context, Jesus has just told the Parable of the Great Feast.  Luke 14:15-24

He notes that invitations have gone out for a feast, but those invited respond with excuses.  One bought a new field, one bought some new oxen, another had just gotten married.  Jesus said that none of those who declined “will get even the smallest taste” of the banquet.

What excuses do we make when Jesus invites us to spend time with Him? 

The life we cling to instead of truly following Jesus with our whole hearts can deprive of us eternal life.

The cost of not turning to Jesus is immeasurable.  But here is the promise Jesus gives to us - Matthew 19:29 – “And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or fields for the sake of My name will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”

Choose Jesus, and make Him the priority of your life.