Day by Day with Martin Luther

Read: 2nd Kings 1:1-2:25 Acts 13:42-14:7 Proverbs 17:19-21

“For His Name’s Sake”

“And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or children or lands, for my name’s sake, will receive a hundredfold and will inherit eternal life.”
[Matthew 19:29]

Misunderstanding of this passage has given rise to many sects and schisms among Christians. It does not mean, as some have heard, that we are supposed to run from our family. God’s Commandment is that I obey my father and mother, stay with my wife, stay with my husband, stay with and provide for my children. However, if it comes to the point of renouncing either my Savior or my father and mother, then I should say: “farewell and good night dear father, dear mother and family. I would like to stay and live with you, but since you are pressing me to renounce my Lord Christ, you shall no longer be my father. I, very sadly, would rather be separated from you here in time, than from my Lord in eternity.” Though it leaves us no choice, it is a sad decision we must make. I will take a walk today, and pray this never happens.