Matthew 10:34-11:1
Be Still: Lord, please speak to us as we spend time meditating on these verses, individually and as your body, the Church. Amen.
Read: Matthew 10:34-11:1
‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. For I have come to turn
‘'a man against his father,
a daughter against her mother,
a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law—
a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’
‘Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds their life will lose it, and whoever loses their life for my sake will find it. (vv34-39)
Encounter: Here again Jesus isn’t pulling any punches, and his words might come as a surprise. ‘Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword’ seems very off-brand for the Prince of Peace.
Firstly, Jesus isn’t saying his mission is to start wars and spread aggression. Rather, his message is so revolutionary it will inevitably cause division. Yesterday we saw the Gospel of Jesus is counter-cultural – it calls out our behaviour and heart postures and turns hierarchies upside down. Some choose to accept while others reject it. Families will fragment and friendships fall apart.
Sadly, this may be true for some of us, and it is certainly true for hundreds of Christians around the world who face persecution for following Jesus. He does, however, promise peace. John says ‘Peace I leave with you; my peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.’ (John14:27) For the followers of Jesus (an open invitation), he offers transcendent peace.
Jesus subtly points to redemption and joy, despite the ‘sword’. Verses 35-36 come from Micah 7:6. Teachers in Jesus’ day often quoted lines of Scripture to draw a whole passage to listeners' minds. Many knew the Scriptures by heart, so they could hear one verse and recall the rest. Jesus prompts his listeners here to recall the next line from Micah: ‘But as for me, I watch in hope for the Lord, I wait for God my Saviour; my God will hear me’. In himself Jesus fulfils the covenant prophecy of the restoration of God’s people. The Gospel may cause division, but the end goal is always salvation, forgiveness, and restoration.
Apply: Pray for those whose commitment to Jesus is extremely costly. You might like to look at resources from Open Doors https://www.opendoorsuk.org/resources/prayer/?
Devote: Jesus, I lift up brothers and sisters who are persecuted for their faith. Please give them courage and hope and give me renewed bravery to speak of you.