Proverbs 10:12

Hatred stirs up trouble, but love forgives all wrongs.

Love forgives all wrongs.

Love forgives all wrongs.

Love forgives all wrongs.

Love forgives ALL wrongs…

Easy?

Hell no.

Necessary?

Heavens yes.

Proverbs 10:17

Whoever accepts correction is on the way to life,
but whoever ignores correction will lead others away from life.

Matthew 10:37

Those who love their father or mother more than they love me are not worthy to be My followers. Those who love their son or daughter more than they love me are not worthy to be my followers.

Jesus here expounds on Micah 7:6, cited in verses 35-36, to make a point virtually inconceivable to most of his hearers. Loving family members, especially parents, was one of the highest duties in Judaism; the only one who could rightfully demand greater love was God himself [Deut.6:4-5; cf. Deut.13:6-11; 2 Macc. 7:22-23].

I’m guessing this is still pretty inconceivable to most people who hear this today even. On the surface, it sounds harsh. But as we take time to think it through, doesn’t it make all the sense in the world? If Jesus is who He claimed to be, then He is our Source of life and love itself, for He is love embodied. And so we were made to love Him above all else. Only then, can we love others, namely our parents and children, like no one else, for we will be filled with divine love which is selfless and unconditional.

How in love with the actual person, Jesus of Nazareth, are you?

Who do you love more than Jesus?

What do you love more than Jesus?

Fear of losing what you love most leads to the dark side. Why not love most that which you can never lose?