Matthew 10:32-33

"So every one who acknowledges me before men, I also will acknowledge before my Father who is in heaven; but whoever denies me before men, I also will deny before my Father who is in heaven" (Matthew 10:32-33 RSV).

Comment:

If we were to assume Jesus is talking about himself, Jesus of Nazareth, this would indeed be a very threatening passage. And, indeed, some have used it throughout history to justify the idea that only those who believe in Jesus will be 'saved.' But Jesus here, as he often did in the gospels, is speaking as the fully realized Christ—the creative energy of God that he is fully expressing, and that he calls us to express as well, by recognizing and connecting with the Christ, the Father Presence of God that links us to the eternal. Along with the empowerment, however, comes a caution: Now that we know ourselves as the Christ, our choices become instantly creative. We must be willing to stand firm in our faith; to deny the Christ out of fear of the reactions of others will generate a negative consequence.

Blessings!

Rev. Ed