The Lord is awe-inspiring, fearsome, fascinating, intriguing, majestic, and full of splendor: breathtaking! Here is what I saw of him and what came to my heart and mind in Matthew 10:34,
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."
When Jesus sent his twelve disciples out to the "lost sheep of Israel", verse 6, he gave them instructions. He also provided them with caution. In this verse above he told them that as they went to do his bidding they would discover severe conflict.
That conflict would stem from the fact that when Jesus came into the human family to reach out to us, to offer the kingdom of heaven, it would be a sword among the people of earth, "I did not come to bring peace but a sword."
The reason for this is Jesus' coming to earth was an offensive maneuver by God within the context of the spiritual warfare that finds its origin in the spiritual realm. Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost among mankind, Luke 19:10. The dark side, "Team Cain" does not want to see people turn to God and enjoy communion with him (the very reason Cain killed his brother Abel.)
So, what did the angels mean when they proclaimed at Jesus' birth, "peace on earth" that we see on so many Hallmark Christmas cards? If we look at what the angels proclaimed in Luke 2:14, we read, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." The peace spoken of here is peace between God and those who respond to his Son, Jesus Christ. All who embrace him in faith find God's favor and experience peace with him. However, all who reject Jesus Christ still have God as an enemy (see Romans 5:10). No peace for them.
"Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword."
When Jesus sent his twelve disciples out to the "lost sheep of Israel", verse 6, he gave them instructions. He also provided them with caution. In this verse above he told them that as they went to do his bidding they would discover severe conflict.
That conflict would stem from the fact that when Jesus came into the human family to reach out to us, to offer the kingdom of heaven, it would be a sword among the people of earth, "I did not come to bring peace but a sword."
The reason for this is Jesus' coming to earth was an offensive maneuver by God within the context of the spiritual warfare that finds its origin in the spiritual realm. Jesus came to seek and to save what was lost among mankind, Luke 19:10. The dark side, "Team Cain" does not want to see people turn to God and enjoy communion with him (the very reason Cain killed his brother Abel.)
So, what did the angels mean when they proclaimed at Jesus' birth, "peace on earth" that we see on so many Hallmark Christmas cards? If we look at what the angels proclaimed in Luke 2:14, we read, "Glory to God in the highest heaven, and on earth peace to those on whom his favor rests." The peace spoken of here is peace between God and those who respond to his Son, Jesus Christ. All who embrace him in faith find God's favor and experience peace with him. However, all who reject Jesus Christ still have God as an enemy (see Romans 5:10). No peace for them.
Among mankind, we find Team Cain with cadres willing and driven to oppose Team Abel (those who have embraced Jesus Christ in faith). Consequently, we see this conflict among families (which Jesus pointed to), we see it in the news media, in politics, in academia, within the entertainment community, and the pop culture at large. It is all around us.
Ever wonder why Hollywood always characterizes Christians as fruitloops? Ever wonder why the political left is so vehemently anti-Israel? Ever wonder why militant gays target small indefensible Christian business owners? Ever wonder why our Christian-Judeo heritage is constantly under attack? Look no further than Jesus' words in Matthew 10.
He warned us ahead of time.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
Anything of the Lord capture your heart from Scripture today? Share what moved you about him from your Bible reading today. I'd love to hear from you!
If you have someone you would like to receive these ruminations, send me their email address. I'm happy to add them to the list. If you are receiving this and would like to be removed from the list, just respond and let me know.
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