MATTHEW 10:37-39
THE CONDITIONS OF DISCIPLESHIP
INTRODUCTION
Matthew 10:37-39 presents a profound and challenging teaching of Jesus on the conditions of discipleship. In this passage, Jesus emphasizes the absolute commitment required to follow Him, highlighting that the love for Him must surpass all other earthly attachments, even those as intimate as family ties. This teaching would have resonated deeply within the Jewish context of the time, where family bonds were paramount, and loyalty to one’s kin was a sacred duty. By stating that anyone who loves their father or mother more than Him is not worthy of Him, Jesus calls His disciples to prioritize their relationship with God above all else, highlighting the radical nature of discipleship in the Kingdom of God.
In the present day, this passage challenges us to reflect on the place Christ holds in our own lives. The call to “take up the cross” and follow Jesus implies a willingness to endure suffering and sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel. It invites believers to consider what they are willing to let go of in order to fully embrace their identity as followers of Christ. This teaching remains relevant today, urging Christians to examine their priorities and to recognize that true discipleship demands total surrender to God’s will, even when it comes at a personal cost.
Matthew 10:37 “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.”
This profound statement emphasizes the radical commitment required to follow Christ, placing love for Him above all other relationships, even those as close as family.
Understanding God’s Commandment and Family Relations:
The foremost commandment given by God is clear: “I am the LORD your God… You shall not have other gods beside me… I, the LORD, your God, am a jealous God” (Ex 20:2-5). This command emphasizes that even the deep love one may have for their children or family must not surpass love for God. This was illustrated in the Old Testament when a man of God rebuked Eli, saying, “Why do you honor your sons more than you honor me?” (1 Sam 2:29).
Jesus’ teachings further amplify this, showing that faithfulness to Him takes precedence over all else, even familial duties. While the Fourth Commandment instructs us to honor our parents (Ex 20:12), Jesus clarified that the love and devotion to Him must surpass even this sacred duty. In Matthew 15:4-6, He challenges the Pharisees and the elders, pointing out how their traditions nullified the commandment to honor one’s parents for the sake of God. Yet, Jesus also taught that faith must come first when a conflict arises between family and religious beliefs, as only Jesus, not family members, can offer eternal salvation.
The Primacy of Love for God:
Jesus reiterates the priority of love for God in Matthew 22:36-40, where He states that the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord, your God, with all your heart, with all your soul, and with all your mind.” This love and fidelity to God must take precedence over all other forms of love, including those directed towards family members. This is not a call to reject family, but a call to rightly order our loves, placing God at the summit.
The Broader Christian Family:
Jesus further redefines family by expanding it beyond blood relations to include all who follow Him. In Matthew 12:46-50, when told that His mother and brothers wanted to speak with Him, Jesus responded by pointing to His disciples and declaring them His true family, saying, “For whoever does the will of my heavenly Father is my brother, and sister, and mother.” This illustrates that spiritual bonds in Christ are even stronger than biological ones.
Catholic Interpretation
The Catechism of the Catholic Church (CCC) teaches that familial ties, while important, are not absolute. In cases where God’s call, such as a vocation to the priesthood or religious life, conflicts with family obligations, the call to follow Christ must take precedence. St. Augustine supports this view, explaining that the preference for Christ does not mean hatred towards family but a reordering of our love where Christ is supreme.
In Luke 14:26, Jesus uses strong language, saying, “If anyone comes to me and does not hate his own father and mother and wife and children and brothers and sisters, yes, and even his own life, he cannot be my disciple.” This “hate” is understood as a Semitic hyperbole, emphasizing that love for Christ must be so great that all other loves appear as hate in comparison.
Reflection
As Christians, we are called to love our families deeply, yet our love for God must be foremost. This teaching challenges us to ensure that our commitment to Christ takes precedence over any relationship or attachment. By putting God first, we align our lives with His will, enabling us to love our families and others more authentically.
Prayer:
Lord Jesus, help us to love You above all else. Grant us the grace to order our affections rightly, so that our love for family and friends may draw us closer to You rather than away from You. May we find in You the source and perfection of all earthly loves. Amen.
Matthew 10:38 “And whoever does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me.”
In Matthew 10:38, Jesus calls His disciples to a radical commitment to follow Him, even to the point of embracing suffering and sacrifice. The cross, in the context of Jesus’ time, was a symbol of extreme shame, suffering, and death. Crucifixion, a method of execution reserved for the most despised criminals in Roman society, was not just a method of execution but a tool of humiliation and prolonged suffering. Thus, when Jesus speaks of taking up one’s cross, He is calling His followers to be ready to endure great hardship, persecution, and even death for His sake.
Jesus’ use of the cross also has deep symbolic meanings that have been central to Catholic theology:
1. Death: The cross was a tool for execution, but with Jesus’ crucifixion and resurrection, it became a symbol of salvation and liberation from sin and death. Jesus, the Lamb of God, took upon Himself the sins of the world, transforming the cross into a sign of victory over Satan and sin.
2. Humiliation: Jesus endured the shame of the cross, a death sentence typically reserved for the worst criminals, as a form of profound humility. His public carrying of the cross, watched by admirers and detractors alike, serves as an example for His followers to embrace humility and accept humiliation when required to witness to the gospel.
3. Suffering: The cross represents the intense suffering Jesus endured, from the agony in Gethsemane to the physical and mental torment of crucifixion. Jesus accepted this suffering as part of His mission, setting a model for His disciples to bear their own sufferings with faith.
4. Love: The cross is the ultimate expression of Jesus’ love for humanity. He chose the cross to demonstrate the greatest form of love – sacrificing His life for others. Christians are called to emulate this love by laying down their lives in service to others, embodying the sacrificial love of Christ.
5. Merging of Divine and Human Love: The cross, with its vertical and horizontal beams, symbolizes the union of divine and human love. The vertical beam represents God’s love descending to earth through Jesus, while the horizontal beam signifies the extension of that love to all humanity.
6. Road to Victory: The cross is not merely a symbol of suffering but also of victory. Jesus’ death on the cross and subsequent resurrection paved the way for eternal life. Christians are called to follow this path of sacrifice, leading to the ultimate victory of eternal glory with God.
7. Key to Heaven: Jesus’ sacrifice on the cross opened the gates of heaven, and by taking up our own crosses, we too can participate in this journey towards eternal life.
8. Christianity: After the conversion of Emperor Constantine, the cross became the emblem of Christianity, reminding believers of Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection, and offering hope in the face of suffering.
Taking up one’s cross, therefore, involves accepting the trials and challenges that come with living out the Christian faith. It means dying to self, renouncing sinful desires, and placing God’s will above our own. This call to embrace suffering is not about seeking out pain, but about facing the inevitable hardships of life with faith, love, and a spirit of sacrifice.
The Second Vatican Council teaches that the laity are called to sanctify the world from within by embracing their daily crosses. Every aspect of life, when carried out in the spirit of faith, can become a spiritual sacrifice acceptable to God. This includes work, family life, and even the hardships of life, all offered up in union with Christ’s sacrifice.
Reflection:
Christ does not promise an easy life, but rather a path of self-giving love. Taking up our cross daily requires courage, perseverance, and deep trust in God. Yet in losing our life for Christ’s sake, we find true life and joy. We are reminded that through our trials, we participate in the mystery of Christ’s passion and resurrection. When we face difficulties, let us remember that Jesus has already walked this path before us and that He is with us, offering the grace to persevere.
Prayer:
Heavenly Father, You sent Your Son to show us the way to eternal life through the path of the cross. Grant us the courage to take up our own crosses and follow Him faithfully. Help us to see our sufferings not as burdens, but as opportunities to grow closer to You and to share in Christ’s redemptive work. May we always trust in Your love and grace, knowing that our crosses, when united with Christ’s, lead to the joy of resurrection. We ask this through Christ our Lord. Amen.
Matthew 10:39 “Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it.”
In Matthew 10:39, Jesus presents a paradox that is central to the Christian life. He challenges His followers to transcend worldly concerns and to prioritize their spiritual journey over earthly desires. The verse conveys a profound truth: those who focus solely on preserving their temporal life – pursuing comfort, success, and security – will ultimately lose their true, eternal life. Conversely, those who are willing to sacrifice these earthly priorities for the sake of Christ and His Gospel will find eternal life.
1. The Dual Meaning of Life:
The “life” referred to in this passage has a dual meaning – both temporal life on earth and eternal life in heaven. While the world often prioritizes achievements and possessions, Jesus emphasizes that life’s true purpose is found in following Him. This aligns with His teaching in Mark 8:36, where He questions the value of gaining worldly success at the expense of one’s soul: “What profit is there for one to gain the whole world and forfeit his life?” Similarly, in Luke 12:15-23, Jesus warns against greed and the accumulation of material wealth, urging His followers to seek treasures in heaven rather than on earth.
2. Dying to Self and Eternal Perspective:
Jesus calls His disciples to “lose” their lives in the sense of dying to self – denying personal desires, ambitions, and even physical safety for His sake. This is not merely about physical martyrdom, though that is included, but also about living a life that is fully aligned with God’s will, even when it requires sacrifice. As stated in Galatians 2:20, “I have been crucified with Christ; yet I live, no longer I, but Christ lives in me.” This reflects the transformation that occurs when a person chooses to live not for themselves, but for Christ.
3. The Paradox of the Gospel:
This verse exemplifies the paradoxical nature of the Gospel. By “losing” our lives – whether through literal martyrdom, self-denial, or sacrificial love – we find true life in Christ. The early Church Fathers viewed this as a call to martyrdom, but the Catholic Church teaches that this principle applies to all forms of sacrifice for the sake of the Gospel, including embracing poverty, chastity, and obedience in religious life, or simply prioritizing God’s will over our own in everyday decisions.
4. Historical and Cultural Context:
In the time of Jesus, His teachings were radical and counter-cultural. The Jewish people, under Roman occupation, were expecting a Messiah who would restore Israel’s political power. Instead, Jesus redefined the Messiah’s role, focusing on spiritual salvation and the establishment of God’s Kingdom through self-sacrifice and service. His call to “take up your cross” (Mt 16:24) was a call to accept suffering and persecution for the sake of the Gospel – a message that remains challenging even today.
5. Application in Modern Times:
In a world that often values material success and personal fulfillment above all else, Jesus’ teaching in Matthew 10:39 challenges us to live counter-culturally. Christians are called to prioritize their relationship with God and their commitment to the Gospel, even when it means making sacrifices. This could involve standing firm in faith despite societal pressures, choosing integrity over popularity, or dedicating one’s life to serving others rather than pursuing personal gain.
Reflection
Jesus’ words in Matthew 10:39 prompt us to consider what we truly value in life. Are we clinging to temporary, worldly things, or are we willing to surrender them for the sake of something greater – eternal life with God? This verse invites us to trust in God’s promise, even when the path requires sacrifices that seem daunting. By losing our life for Christ, we find a life that is richer and more fulfilling than anything the world can offer.
Prayer
Heavenly Father, You have called us to follow Your Son, even when the path is difficult and the cost is great. Grant us the grace to surrender our lives to You, knowing that in losing ourselves for the sake of Christ, we will find the fullness of life in You. Strengthen our faith, that we may always seek Your Kingdom first and trust in Your promise of eternal life. Through Christ, our Lord. Amen.
CONCLUSION
Matthew 10:37-39 presents a call to radical discipleship, where the love for Christ must surpass all other attachments, including familial ties. Jesus emphasizes that true discipleship requires total commitment and the willingness to prioritize Him above everything else. This teaching challenges us to examine the place Christ holds in our lives, urging us to reorder our loves and to place God at the summit of all our relationships. By embracing this call, we align ourselves with God’s will, recognizing that in surrendering our lives to Christ, we find true life.
In today’s world, where many distractions and obligations compete for our attention, this passage invites us to make a deliberate choice to follow Christ wholeheartedly. It reminds us that discipleship is not just about belief but about action – taking up our crosses, enduring suffering, and letting go of our earthly desires to gain eternal life with God. By losing our lives for Christ’s sake, we discover the profound truth that true fulfillment and joy come from living a life devoted to God.
PRAYER
Heavenly Father, we thank You for the gift of Your Son, Jesus Christ, who calls us to follow Him with all our hearts. Grant us the strength to place our love for You above all else, even when it requires great sacrifice. Help us to carry our crosses with faith and trust, knowing that in surrendering our lives to You, we will find true peace and eternal life. May we always seek to align our wills with Yours, loving You with all our heart, soul, and mind. We ask this through Christ, our Lord. Amen.