Do not think that I came to establish peace on earth.
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace upon the earth. I have come to bring not peace but the sword. For I have come to set a man ‘against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law; and one’s enemies will be those of his household.’ 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; and whoever does not take up his cross and follow after me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.” Matthew 10:34-39
“Do you think that I have come to establish peace on the earth? No, I tell you, but rather division. From now on a household of five will be divided, three against two and two against three; a father will be divided against his son and a son against his father, a mother against her daughter and a daughter against her mother, a mother-in-law against her daughter-in-law and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law.” Luke 12:51-53
Be assured, Jesus is offensive to anyone who wants to live for themselves. He brings division to any group that has any agenda other than His Kingdom and glory. If we view Jesus as some gentle soul who just wants everyone to get along, we misunderstand Him. He deeply desires peace and unity, but a peace and unity under God. Unity on His terms, under His direction, for His purposes. He has drawn a “line in the sand.” Everyone is either for Him or against Him. We need to be very clear on that fact. If we claim we are His, that means our lives are His. Our relationships are His. Our possessions are His. He has all our allegiance and time and energy and resources.
