Matthew 10:37 He that loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Our Saviour puts Himself and the world together as competitors for our best affections, challenging a transcendent affection on our part, because of a transcendent worthiness on His. By "father or mother " are to be understood whatever enjoyments are dear to us; and from the expression, "he is not worthy of Me," the doctrine of merit must not be asserted. I. WHAT IS INCLUDED AND COMPREHENDED IN THAT LOVE TO CHRIST HERE MENTIONED? 1. An esteem and valuation of Christ above all worldly enjoyments. 2. A choosing Him before all other enjoyments. 3. Service and obedience to Him. 4. Acting for Him in opposition to all other things. 5. It imparts a full acquiescence in Him alone, even in the absence and want of all other felicities. II. THE REASON AND MOTIVES WHICH MAY INDUCE US TO THIS LOVE. 1. He is the best able to reward our love. 2. He has shown the greatest love to us. III. THE SIGNS AND CHARACTERS WHEREBY WE MAY DISCERN HIS LOVE. 1. A frequent and, indeed, continual thinking of Him. 2. A willingness to leave the world, whenever God shall think fit, by death, to summon us to nearer converse with Christ. 3. A zeal for His honour, and impatience to hear or see any indignity offered Him. (R. South, D. D.) Parallel Verses KJV: He that loveth father or mother more than me is not worthy of me: and he that loveth son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. |
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