1. Lose life to find it (34-39)

Jesus wants us to put him first. Sometimes the people close to us humanly don't understand that by loving Jesus first we can love them more, so they resent our love for Jesus. Then a person's enemies become those of his own household. What can we do? Jesus says that unless we take the cross of mission, the cross of rejection and misunderstanding and follow him, we are not worthy of him. He promises that if we give our lives to him, we will find life. If we give up Jesus' calling in order to hold onto people, we will lose the very life we are trying to save.

2. He who receives you receives me (40-42)

Jesus' disciples are those who put Jesus first in their affections. Jesus promises to bless anyone who welcomes a disciple of Jesus. Even a cup of cold water given to one who loves Jesus will be rewarded. We can be a blessing to those we love only if we keep on loving Jesus first.

Application: Lord, help me to love you first and trust you to bless those I love. Help me to take up my cross and follow you to the end.
One Word: Love Jesus first