Episode 978
What If Jesus Came to Disrupt Your Comfort Zone?
The principal focus of this podcast episode is the exploration of Jesus' challenging teachings regarding familial relationships and the radical nature of love. Within this discourse, I examine the implications of prioritizing one's commitment to God over conventional familial ties, suggesting that such a devotion may necessitate a degree of discomfort and disruption in one's life. We delve into the profound message conveyed in Matthew, chapter 10, which invites us to redefine our understanding of family and community, extending beyond mere biological connections to embrace a broader, more inclusive sense of kinship rooted in shared values of justice and compassion. Furthermore, I emphasize the significance of small, meaningful acts of kindness, illustrating that even the simplest gestures can contribute to a larger movement for justice. As I guide listeners through this reflection, I encourage them to identify aspects of their lives that may hinder their engagement in justice work and to take deliberate, manageable steps towards challenging these comfortable norms.
In this episode, the discourse centers on the radical teachings of Jesus as presented in the Gospel of Matthew, particularly regarding the often uncomfortable intersection of family and faith. Dr. Brad Miller articulates a profound message: that the journey of discipleship may require one to confront and, at times, sever familial ties in the pursuit of a higher calling. This notion, while challenging, is framed within the context of a loving God who calls us towards justice and compassion, urging us to reflect on what it truly means to follow Him amid societal expectations.
Dr. Miller draws upon personal anecdotes to illustrate the discomfort these teachings can provoke, especially for those deeply rooted in familial relationships. He emphasizes that Jesus' message is not an indictment against family love, but rather a call to prioritize divine justice over complacency. This episode encourages listeners to re-evaluate their understanding of family, advocating for an inclusive definition that transcends blood relations to encompass a broader community of support and love, particularly for those marginalized by traditional family structures.
Furthermore, the episode culminates in a practical application of these principles, inviting listeners to engage in small acts of kindness as a means of enacting change. Dr. Miller's insightful commentary serves as a reminder that even the simplest gestures can contribute to a larger movement for justice. By encouraging listeners to identify and challenge comfortable patterns in their lives, he fosters a sense of agency and responsibility, ultimately guiding them toward a more profound engagement with their faith and community.
Takeaways:
- The podcast emphasizes the importance of breaking free from comfortable patterns in our lives.
- Jesus' teachings challenge us to redefine our understanding of family and community.
- Small acts of kindness, such as offering a cup of water, can lead to significant change.
- We are called to prioritize justice and love over traditional family expectations in our lives.
- The episode underlines that every small gesture of compassion contributes to a larger revolution.
- Listeners are encouraged to engage in justice work by identifying and challenging their own comforts.
Links referenced in this episode:
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is presented each day by Rev. Dr. Brad Miller who has a goal of speaking a bit of the bible into two million ears (one million people) in three years (2025-2028).
He is the author of "The A, B, C-1,2,3 Bible Study Guide" Free to you by clicking HERE.
Brad served as a local church pastor for forty years and has a background in radio and podcasting. Moreover, he is a life-long student of The Bible.
He believes in the words of Jesus that “scripture is fulfilled in your hearing” (Luke 4:21)
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available seven days a week by 6:00 am ET. The episodes are no longer than ten minutes long and are...
- Understandable: A reading from the New Testament (usually the Gospel) selected from the Revised Common Lectionary using "The Message" translation.
- Relatable: You will have a couple of "points to ponder" from the text which will relate to your life
- Applicable: Every episode includes a way you can take action based on the reading
- A recommended resource to help you go deeper in biblical study and spiritual direction.
- A prayer for your day.
A companion resource to the Voice of God Daily Podcast is the “ABC Bible Study Guide” available by clicking HERE.
The "Daily Bible Refresh" is available every day at VoiceofGodDaily.com on Apple Podcasts, Spotify and all major podcast directories.
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Remember… “All scripture is God-breathed and useful”(2 Timothy 3:16)
Transcript
Foreign Dr. Brad Miller here with the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:This is your daily reading of the Bible from a progressive point of view.
Speaker A:In a bit I will read the New Testament lessons selected from the Revised Common Lectionary for this very day.
Speaker A:The reading is understandable.
Speaker A:I use the Message version relatable.
Speaker A:Please listen to the points to ponder and applicable with action steps you can take.
Speaker A:We pray and are done in less than 10 minutes.
Speaker A:It's all brought to you by voiceofgoddaily.com which is the home of your free personal Bible Study Guide, the ABC1, 23 Bible Study Method.
Speaker A: lionaires a million people by: Speaker A:You can help by saving and subscribing to the podcast and tagging your friends.
Speaker B:Here's today's reading so today's reading is from the Gospel of Matthew, chapter 10, verses 34 through 42.
Speaker B:So let's get into it from the Message version of the Bible don't think I've come to make life cozy.
Speaker B:I've come to cut.
Speaker B:Make a sharp knife cut between son and father, daughter and mother, bride and mother in law.
Speaker B:Cut through these cozy domestic arrangements and free you for God.
Speaker B:Well meaning family members can be your worst enemies.
Speaker B:If you prefer father or mother over me, you don't deserve me.
Speaker B:If you prefer son or daughter over me, you don't deserve me.
Speaker B:If you don't go all the way with me through thick and thin, you don't deserve me.
Speaker B:If your first concern is to look after yourself, you'll never find yourself.
Speaker B:But if you forget about yourself and look to me, you'll find both yourself and me, we are intimately linked in this harvest work.
Speaker B:Anyone who accepts what you do accepts me, the one who sent you.
Speaker B:Anyone who accepts what I do accepts my Father who sent me.
Speaker B:Accepting a messenger of God is as good as being God's messenger.
Speaker B:Accepting someone's help is as good as giving someone help.
Speaker B:This is a large work I've called you into, but don't be overwhelmed by it.
Speaker B:It's best to start small.
Speaker B:Give a cool cup of water to someone who is thirsty, for instance.
Speaker B:The smallest act of giving or receiving makes you a true apprentice.
Speaker B:You won't lose out on a thing.
Speaker B:Well, this is an incredible passage of scripture here really challenges us.
Speaker B:It's about radical love that goes beyond comfort.
Speaker B:I'm Dr. Brad Miller and we're diving into one of Jesus most challenging teachings here today.
Speaker B:You know, as someone who's been married for 33 years and treasures my family time with my with my sons and daughter and my granddaughters.
Speaker B:These words about family division make me a little bit uncomfortable.
Speaker B:But let's explore a little deeper what Jesus might really be getting at to getting at here.
Speaker B:So let's get into some points to ponder.
Speaker B:The first one is breaking comfortable patterns.
Speaker B:Jesus isn't actually anti family.
Speaker B:He's challenging systems that maintain injustice.
Speaker B:It reminds me of conversations I have on my cancer podcast that sometimes healing requires disrupting comfortable patterns.
Speaker B:Just like my team, the Pacers need to shake it up in their game strategy from time to time.
Speaker B:Our faith calls us to be challenging the status quo even when it's uncomfortable.
Speaker B:A second point to ponder is about redefining family and community.
Speaker B:This passage of scripture invites us to expand our understanding of family beyond blood.
Speaker B:In my years of being hiking and going walks with my wife, we've met some incredible people.
Speaker B:And we've met people in our lives who've really become almost family like.
Speaker B:And Jesus is calling on us to create communities based on shared values of justice and compassion.
Speaker B:This is particularly relevant today as we work to create inclusive spaces for LGBTQ people, immigrants and others who might be rejected by their families of origin.
Speaker B:Another point is about the revolution of small acts.
Speaker B:I love how Jesus ends with the simple act of giving water.
Speaker B:It's like sometimes when I tell dad jokes in my cancer support work, sometimes the smallest gestures carry the most meaning.
Speaker B:Jesus is saying that revolution doesn't always look like grand gestures.
Speaker B:It can be as simple as meeting basic needs.
Speaker B:Every small act of justice and kindness matters.
Speaker B:Here's your action step for the day.
Speaker B:Identify a comfortable aspect of your life that might be preventing you from from fully engaging in justice work.
Speaker B:Maybe it's privileged silence or harmful tradition or an exclusive practice.
Speaker B:Then take one small step to challenge it.
Speaker B:Remember, like giving a cup of water, start with something manageable but meaningful.
Speaker B:We're going to come back and have a prayer here in just a minute, but I did want you to know we've got a great resource just for you to help with your own at home Daily Bible Study.
Speaker B:You use it in coordination with what we do here on the Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker B:It's called the ABC123 Bible Study Method and you pick it up by going to our website, voiceofgodddaily.com there's a link right there.
Speaker B:Let's pray.
Speaker B:Oh God, you are a divine disruptor.
Speaker B:And we confess that we often choose comfort over justice.
Speaker B:Just like the joy of my granddaughter's laughter.
Speaker B:Help us find delight in creating new forms of community.
Speaker B:When family expectations conflict with your call for justice, give us courage to choose love over tradition.
Speaker B:Help us see that small acts, a cup of water, a welcoming smile, a stand for justice matter deeply.
Speaker B:Guide us in building families of choice that reflect your inclusive love.
Speaker B:Remind us, as I've learned through my years of marriage and parenting, that true love sometimes requires holy disruption.
Speaker A:My friend, I am delighted you chose to join me for today's reading.
Speaker A:The Daily Bible Refresh is completely listener supported.
Speaker A: on years, a million people by: Speaker A:I would be so grateful if you would go to voiceofgodddaily.com and share your gift of any amount.
Speaker A:Thanks much.
Speaker A:My name is Dr. Brad Miller and I'll be right here tomorrow with your Daily Bible Refresh.
Speaker A:Please subscribe and tag your friends until tomorrow.
Speaker A:Remember, God's loyal love doesn't run out.
Speaker A:His merciful love hasn't dried up, it's created new every morning.
