“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. And whoever 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 10:34-39, ESV).

In a post-game interview Baker Mayfield, rookie quarterback for the Cleveland Browns was asked how he had led his team to an amazing victory. Mayfield responded, “I woke up feeling dangerous today!”

Following Jesus is a dangerous undertaking! It sets you at odds with the very world in which you live.

Following Jesus can set your family against you when you love Jesus more than them. Following Jesus can set your your friends and colleagues against you when it becomes a higher priority than work or hobbies.

Following Jesus can set you against the popular culture and politics of this world when His values become your values.

It makes you look suspicious… unusual… dangerous!

After all what kind of person would love a man who lived 2,000 years ago and was executed as an enemy of the state more than their own family or friends?

Then, to claim that He rose again to life, ascended into heaven and His Spirit now lives inside of you and guides you and empowers you to do His will.

It’s alarming!

But, here’s the greatest danger of all: After you forsake all, you most lose your life. That’s right, He wants you to die! To your self.

Following Jesus costs you everything and the only thing you really have–your right to your own self.

But, when you abdicate everything for Jesus–friends, family, self–then your natural life is replaced with eternal life, your destiny fulfilled.

And, He restores everything you lost for His sake–except now your life possesses immeasurable value and eternal significance.

So, are you feeling dangerous today?

What is more, I consider everything a loss compared to the surpassing greatness of knowing Christ Jesus my Lord, for whose sake I have lost all things. (Philippians 3:8, NIV)