Matthew 10:32-42
Verse 34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
Yesterday we started talking about the peace that God gives and today we see why it isn’t what many think it is. Our passage today is very disturbing for many people as it doesn’t fit with their picture of a God of love and peace. As we were saying yesterday some see the praise given in the presence of the shepherds as God saying that there will be peace on earth but that isn’t what was being said nor was it God saying it. Jesus is very clear in our key verse how He sees things differently.
His view of love and peace is about truth and spiritual life. This peace isn’t about getting along with people it is about being wholeheartedly committed to God. What Jesus was trying to help His listeners know was how if they were just trying to keep peace with others they could not be His followers. Loving family more than Him shows the truth of our heart. The truth of our allegiance.
When we are going through life as our own rulers we do things which we think are best for us and for those around us. This life, the things and people in it, are all we think about when making decisions. This is proof that things of the earth are most important to us. The things which don’t last for eternity are what our hearts hold dear.
When Jesus is the Lord of our hearts, we will have an inner peace which can’t be enjoyed without total commitment to Him. This peace is the knowledge that He is in control of our lives. When He is in control of our lives and we are fully committed to Him we will live to please Him. Our thoughts and actions will become more and more in line with His thinking. And when our lives become more in line with Him is when His peace invades our lives. It is through full surrender we can come to know true and lasting peace. The peace of the Prince of Peace.
Making It Personal
Do you struggle with putting God in front of family and friends? In what areas do you find yourself most divided in allegiance? Do you want His peace enough that you are ready to fully surrender to Him?
Making It Personal Kids
Why would Jesus want you to love Him more than anyone else? What does it mean to let Jesus have control of your life? How much do you love Jesus?
Closing Prayer
Father, we know true peace comes from full surrender but that isn’t so easy. Please keep working in our lives, drawing us closer to You so we will fully commit to You and Your ways. In Jesus’ name, amen.