January 29, 2026

Matthew 10:32-37 (HCSB)
Acknowledging Christ
32 “Therefore, everyone who will acknowledge Me before men, I will also acknowledge him before My Father in heaven. 33 But whoever denies Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in heaven. 34 Don’t assume that I came to bring peace on the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
35 For I came to turn
a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law;
36 and a man’s enemies will be
the members of his household.
37 The person who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me; the person who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me.

T.W. Mitchell
“I never thought about that before. I don’t think it really matters that much. I’m sure it will be just fine.” Some who are supposed Christians might say this as a response to today’s verses. This passage shines much light on God’s call for loyalty and commitment. The Amplified version is known to “squeeze out” translation of the original Greek. Examples: v.32-33 “the one who confesses and acknowledges Me before men [as Lord and Savior, affirming a state of oneness with Me], that one I will also confess and acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven. But the one who denies and rejects me before men, that one I will also deny and reject before My Father who is in heaven.” v.34 “... a sword [of division between belief and unbelief].” v. 36 division: “[when one believes and another does not.]”Jesus provided us examples of what He meant for us to follow. His baptism was an open and public confession of His commitment to His Father. Have you followed Him in believer’s baptism? Some of His family and others didn’t appreciate His commitment. Does pressure from others tempt you to hide your faith? Do you regularly confess Jesus as your Lord? If someone thinks it really doesn’t matter, or it will be fine, they should look at the scripture a little closer. It really matters to Him and eternity.