Interesting Study: Jesus comes with a sword!

Matthew 10:34-38

34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 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—
36     a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’

37 “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. 38 Whoever does not take up their cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

So what is this sword that has the power to turn family members against one another?  It is the sword of TRUTH. Gods truth. "You shall know the truth and the truth shall set you free!"  Yet when you read the above scripture it looks as if freedom comes at a great price. The possibility of turning friends and relatives against you. 

How could that be? Jesus was bringing in a whole new way of relating to God. What He was teaching was a slap in the face to the religion of the day and to those who practiced it. People are very protective of "their" beliefs. Today the sword is just as sharp. Today the sword of truth goes against the world's way of living. God's truth does exactly what it is supposed to do. It lights up our sin. Sin does not like to be put into the light. Because when it is lit up and shown for what it is it produces guilt, and no one wants to feel guilty. We love to be right.  We love to be in control. We want to believe what we believe! We hate being told we are wrong.

 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

Yes, but the sword of truth has the ability to not only inflict a wound but also heal it all within one stroke. The sword can cut through all the chains that bind us. Use the word of God to move closer to the truth. The closer we get to the truth the closer we are to the Kingdom of God where peace, joy, love, and contentment can become your normal. Jesus was a radical. Do you want to follow Him? There will be a price but the reward is great!

Have a great day!   Love pastor Kent