Not peace, but a sword

When Jesus was born, angels from heaven sang, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace to men on whom his favor rests."  Jesus came to establish peace between God and all the people of world by taking the guilt of their sin on himself and suffering their death penalty for sin.  Because of Jesus, we are free from of the guilt and punishment of our sin.  Washed clean by the blood of Jesus, we have peace with God.  That’s why it was declared of Jesus by Isaiah the prophet that he is the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6).
Yet Jesus says in our Gospel lesson for this Sunday, “I did not come to bring peace, but a sword” (Matthew 10:34). And he quotes from the prophet Micah that his coming will cause hostility even among family members (Micah 7:6). 
Jesus is the bringer of peace and at the same time the bringer of hostility.  He brought peace between us and the Father – a peace that is founded on the forgiveness of sins and looks forward confidently to the hope of heaven.  But in our lives now in this world, the message about Jesus creates difficulty, strife and pain for Christians. There are those, maybe even some who are close to us, who reject the way of salvation through Jesus. They oppose Christ and as a result oppose what we believe and live for. 
It would be tempting for us to make peace with those who oppose us by covering up our confession of faith in Jesus and hiding our commitment to God.  What a disappointment that would be to our Lord!  More than that, it would be destructive to our relationship with God.  The words of Jesus ring in our ears: “Whoever disowns me before men, I will disown him before my Father in heaven” (Matthew 10:33).

As difficult as it sometimes to live our faith and confess Jesus, God can use our testimony to turn the hearts of people, even those who silently or loudly oppose us.  Keep praying for them and as you have opportunity talk with them about Jesus that he is their Savior, too.

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