Matthew 10:34-39
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. 2001 (Mt 10:34–39). Wheaton: Standard Bible Society.
Jesus is born the Prince of Peace and it is said at his birth, "Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” Jesus was supposed to bring peace to the people. St Paul says that he makes peace between the Jews and Gentiles in Galatians. But why does he say he does not bring peace?
Some think these family disputes can align themselves with those struggling to believe in Jesus Christ and those who deny him. Many Jewish families today can be very much divided when someone becomes a Christian. Someone once told me, "it is easier to become a Jewish Muslim than a Jewish Christian." But is that what Jesus means when he says he brings a sword?
What if he means that he will make you into a new family. You will die to your old self and become something or someone new. You are not worthy of Christ unless you have denied your old self and followed him. There have been many Christians who have taken this passage quite literally. They have left everything and followed Jesus, following in the so called feet of the early disciples. They lead lives completely separate from the world. But maybe these Christians are right. We need to give up our lives or lose our life for his sake and only then we will find it.
I have often liked the song "Life for Rent" by Dido. She talks about the idea of if your life is for rent and you don't plan to buy then you deserve nothing more than you get, because nothing you have is truly yours. Maybe we can remember that our Life is not our own. But we have been bought by a price. It is Jesus who died for your life. He is the one who owns it. He is the one who has killed you with a sword or by water and has given you new life. Take up your cross and follow him.
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