Don’t Bring Peace to a Swordfight | Matthew 10:34-42
Sermon Summary:
You’ve heard the phrase “Don’t bring a knife to a gunfight.” It means you better make sure you have what you need, what is appropriate. Jesus declares that He has come not to bring peace, but rather a sword. This may be confusing because elsewhere the angels say that Jesus did come to bring peace on earth! What Jesus means is that there is a time to bring peace, and there is also a time to bring a sword. Jesus does not come to speak peace to a world ruled by sin. This would only serve to solidify their sinfulness and condemn all people! Jesus comes to bring a sword–His ministry will cause division between those who believe Him and those who don’t. His ministry will be painful for sinners. But ultimately Jesus is the one who will face the “sword”--He will go to the cross to divide people from their sins, and to actually establish lasting peace on earth. Jesus does not bring a fake peace that reinforces a sinful worldview. He brings the appropriate weapon to the fight to free us from sin, death, and the devil.
Jesus says, “I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Jesus will bring peace eventually…but He won’t bring peace if it’s not the right weapon.
The world wants to hear “Peace!” no matter what.
But sometimes the situation calls for a sword. Hebrews 4:12–For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.
There will be casualties as a result of Jesus’ work. But, thankfully, the casualties will not be our souls.
We must lose our lives to find true life. We must be torn away from anything that separates us from God in order to be made right with God.
Jesus Himself faces the sword in order to bring us peace.
In Christ, I am ready because I’ve been made ready (through faith).
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