[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. (Matthew 10:34-36)
How are we to make sense of this passage? After all, one of the best-known titles for the Christ is “Prince of Peace.” (Isaiah 9:6)
Jesus himself said in Matthew chapter 5 that he did not come to abolish the law, but to fulfill the law. This means he came to fulfill the Fourth Commandment: “Honor your father and mother.” How could Jesus then come to set man against his father and daughter against mother?
Note that Jesus said he did not come to bring peace “to the earth.” Jesus did not come to become an earthly sovereign like King David of Israel. Immediately before his crucifixion, Jesus told Roman Governor Pontius Pilate, “My kingdom is not of this world.” The peace Jesus came to bring is peace between us and God. In his death and resurrection, Jesus became our peace. (Ephesians 2:14)
It’s one thing for Jesus not to bring peace, it’s another for Jesus to bring “a sword.” This means he would inspire conflict. The world should have embraced Jesus as Savior. However, Jesus came into a fallen world. For this reason, some people were going to reject Jesus and his teaching. Others were going to confront Jesus and his followers. Jesus’ teaching would cause people to dispute with one another.
Praise be to God that Jesus also is the one who brought reconciliation and peace to those who were conflicted. By becoming our peace Jesus enables us to be at peace with one another.
(A Second Look devotions are written for the congregations of the Ohio District LCMS.)
Kevin Wilson 360 