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 Jesus the Prince of Peace (Isaiah 9:6-7)?
Didn’t the angels sing at Jesus’ birthday about Him bringing peace? We read from Luke 2,
“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 can be a hard thing to wrestle with. Those that God is pleased with.
God’s word is clear to 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 also 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,”
John 1 tells us that Jesus is God’s word become flesh.
Jesus will offend people!
We have only one offensive weapon – the word of God.
And so it is God’s word that offends our loved ones, our friends, our family. Those we meet at work, those in the street, even ourselves if we are honest. The sword that cuts through to the heart of the matter.
In turn it is the word of God that is to be on our lips and in our hearts and minds.
A sword.
* Father God,
Thank You that through Jesus, His righteous life standing in for us, we can heave peace with You!
Lord we pray for those who do not know You – Please help us to witness to them as we show the fruits of Your Spirit.
Please save the lost around us Lord, our friends and family, our loved ones.
May Your word turn from being an offense to being the water of life!
Amen.