34“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword.”
Jesus now admonished his apostles to put loyalty to Him above everything (10-34-39). He did this in striking, stark terms, saying that the apostles would have to undergo suffering for Christ. It takes sacrifice to serve Him.
10:34
“Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth.
Jesus’ purpose in coming to earth was not to bring world peace or peace among family members. He came to make peace between people and God (Eph 2:14-17).
I did not come to bring peace but a sword.
The purpose of Jesus’ coming was to bring a sword; a sword severs things in two. Ministering for Him will involve conflict and strife. The issue is divided loyalty. Jesus Himself suffered at the hands of men, even to the point of dying a criminal’s death (Php 2:5-8). The cross is the reason for spiritual warfare. This will divide people until Christ comes to set up His Millennial kingdom. This division will reach into the closest relationships, including the family.
PRINCIPLE:
The cross divides by the nature of its exclusive message.
APPLICATION:
Many evangelical leaders today make the presumption that Christ came to bring peace on earth. This is the very opposite of what Jesus said. Jesus did not come with a social gospel. He came with a message that precluded other beliefs.
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me.Jn 14:6
Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.”Ac 4:12
Jesus came to offer a theocratic kingdom to the nation Israel, but when Israel rejected that message He deferred that purpose until the Millennial kingdom. Jesus will come to make peace after the Second Coming.
Many Christians live their lives under the policy of “safety first.” There is no such policy in the Word of God. The Christian is to live by faith, courage, and risk for the advancement of Christ in his world. The Christian life offers danger, not comfort. Those who seek comfort above all cannot live the life God designed for them.
