Reading
SAA Notes
There are many telling verses in this passage. Verses 34-39 are very challenging for parents as your children go out into this world.
SJA Notes
* God Above, thank You for showing us Yourself through Your word today.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
How do we reconcile these words from Jesus? Isn’t He the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7)?
Didn’t the angels sing at Jesus’ birth about Him bringing peace?
“And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God and saying, ‘Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased.'”
There is peace. For those with whom God is pleased.
This is a hard thing to wrestle with. Those that God is pleased with.
The end of the matter is what God’s word tells us from start to finish. There are the sheep and there are the goats. There is the narrow way that leads to life and the wide road that leads to destruction. There is belief and there is unbelief.
Jesus brings a sword.
We read in Ephesians 6 of the armory God gives us,
“… And the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God,”
We read in Revelation 19 of the rider on the white horse (Jesus),
“From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations,”
The sword comes from Jesus’ mouth.
John 1 tells us that Jesus is God’s word become flesh.
We have only one offensive weapon, the word of God!
And so it is to be God’s word that offends our loved ones, our friends, our family. Those we meet at work, those in the street, even those in our churches.
And in turn it is the word of God that must be on our lips and in our hearts and minds.
But it is a sword.
* Father God,
Thank You that through Jesus, His righteous life standing for us, we can have peace in You!
Lord we pray for those who do not know You – Please help us to speak to them Your word as we exhibit the fruits of Your Spirit.
Please Lord, please save them.
Please may Your word turn from being an offense to being the water of life!
Amen.