[1] Tyler is almost a year and a half old and I have been amazed the last couple of weeks at how much he has grown. He has had a huge burst of communication, coordination and well… overall cuteness. But I’m his mother, so I’m pretty biased.

Today I gave him his sixth haircut. This was the first one he has made a fuss over. He kept grabbing at the scissors and rubbing hair in his eyes. But eventually with Bobby’s help, a bowl of lucky charms and some Elmo I finished it and I think even he likes it now. You can see his funny new “scrunch” face in the after picture!

The last couple of months Tyler has picked up a little on prayer. We always pray for him before bedtime and at our meals and awhile ago he started saying “Amen!” when we would. A few days ago Bobby and I were praying together[2] at the dining room table and Tyler kept saying, “More pray” and would clasp his hands and bow his head. I thought about how natural that seems for a child to want to imitate their parents. Especially at Tyler’s age right now. He always wants to play with our computers, cell phones and to sit in the drivers seat of the car just to do what we do.

Our high school students are reading through the Gospel of Matthew together over at Godsong Music and the passage tomorrow is Matthew 10. As I was reading it tonight one part definitely stands out is a quote from Jesus Himself–

“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me…” (Matthew 10:37)

Wow, that is intense. I like how Bobby said when he was preaching this weekend that Jesus is not degrading family, but rather elevating the position of priority He is to have in our hearts and lives. Our devotion to Him is to be complete. We can really see the idea of Him requiring [3] all our hearts spelled out here. But then there is more–

…and anyone who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” (Matthew 10:38-39)

In my MacArthur study Bible I really appreciated the notes for verse 38. MacArthur says,

“Here is Jesus’ first mention of the word ‘cross’ to his disciples.
To them it would have evoked a picture of a violent, degrading death.
He was demanding total commitment from them–even unto physical
death–and making this call to full surrender a part of the message
they were to proclaim to others.”

This is so different from the gospel we hear proclaimed today. It seems that more and more churches are promoting a feel-good, boost your self-worth message. It is rare to hear a gospel presentation that actually spells out the requirements Christ has spelled out for His followers. The thought of physical sacrifice being associated with following Christ is probably never mentioned. It’s scary how people are twisting and changing His demands to imply that Jesus is just another tactic you should try to be happier and feel more purpose in your life. All that is really doing is deceiving people into having a false assurance of themselves without losing their lives to be found in Him.

As I read through this passage and felt the weight of Christ’s words I thought about little Tyler and how sweet it seems that he likes it when we pray. But salvation is serious and I certainly don’t want just outward mimicking. Every time we pray with Tyler we ask for God to bring him salvation through true repentance and faith in Christ. Being a follower of Christ isn’t cute or easy. It isn’t about praying a prayer or “asking Jesus into our hearts.” He requires everything to be worthy of Him. My prayer is that someday Tyler will come to know this for himself because he saw us living this way…