I have come to bring sword

In this message, B'zha B'yol reflects on Jesus' words in Matthew 10:34. Jesus says he came not to bring peace, but a sword. B'zha B'yol explains that the sword represents division and exposes evil. The message of salvation separates the just from the unjust and separates people from their sins. Jesus' coming creates a division, even within families. The word of God is compared to a sword, which can bring peace to those who accept it, but contradiction and separation to those who reject it. Ultimately, Jesus came to establish peace between God and man, and among believers. Welcome to our weekly exhortation. Thank you for joining me. Thank you for your time. My name is B'zha B'yol, Servant of God, Servant of Jesus Christ. Today, in our message, we want to reflect a bit on what Jesus tells us in Matthew chapter 10 verse 34. When the time came, our Lord Jesus called his twelve apostles and sent them to preach the good news of salvation to the nations. He strengthened them and gave them instructions. He even predicted to them the effect their proclamation will have on those who will respond to it. He says, Think not death, I am come to send peace on earth. I came not to send peace, but sword. Matthew chapter 10 verse 34. Music What does Jesus want to teach us? First, let's try to understand the meaning of the word sword. In fact, a sword is an edge-bladed weapon intended for manual cutting or thrusting. A sword is a weapon. We know very well that who speaks of the sword speaks of confrontation, of hatred. Now, what about the verb come? The Lord Jesus says, I came not to send peace, but sword. Praise the Lord. In fact, the Lord Jesus is not talking about his second coming in this verse. So, a sword in this context is not an instrument of judgment. At the end of the age, the Lord is not going to judge the believers with a sword, but with his word. John chapter 12 verse 48. It is obvious that Jesus is talking about the first time he came on earth. Why does Jesus say he is coming on earth with a sword? At first sight, these statements do not look like our Lord Jesus at all as described in the Gospels. What explanation can we give to this statement then? As a matter of fact, we are taught in a multitude of passages in the Bible that God is a God of peace. Isn't it? He is. We know. Let me read some verses that underscore the peaceful nature of God. First, in Ephesians chapter 6 verse 15, it is written, And your feet shod with the preparation of the gospel of peace. Second, in John chapter 14 verse 27, Jesus declares, Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you. Third, in Matthew chapter 5 verse 9, it is written, Blessed are the peacemakers, for they will be called children of God. Fourth, in 1 Corinthians chapter 14 verse 33, it is written, For God is not a God of confusion, but of peace, as in all the churches of the saints. Lastly, in Romans chapter 15 verse 33, it is written, Now the God of peace be with you all. Amen. If all of these verses testify that God is a God of peace, then the explanation of what Jesus says should be looked for elsewhere. In Psalm chapter 26 verse 5, the Lord says, I hate the company of evildoers, and will not sit with the wicked. This verse shows as to what extent God hates sin. Because of sin, the world is what it is. We should note that the sword that Jesus brought when he first came to earth is a sword that exposes evil. You see, the sword has the property of cutting and dividing. And Jesus says that's what happens when he comes to earth. The immediate result of his coming is seen in the division it engenders. The sword symbolizes this division. Listen carefully. The message of the cross, the message of salvation, has the property of dividing. Why so? Well, the cross cuts. It separates. Now, what exactly does it separate? Let's see. The message of salvation separates the just from the unjust. It separates the unjust from their sins. The parallel passage of Matthew 10 verse 34 is found in Luke 12 verse 51 where the word division is used instead of the word sword. Please read it. Jesus says he came to cause division. This indicates that the sword is synonymous with division. That is, it causes division. The division would be felt within family relationship. He says, for I have come to put the division between the man and his father, between the daughter and her mother, between the daughter-in-law and her mother-in-law. Matthew chapter 10 verse 35. We praise the Lord. Furthermore, we read in Hebrew chapter 4 verse 12 that the word of God is quick and powerful and sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joint and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the hearts. As we can see, Jesus did not come to bring peace to those who reject his word. However, he brings peace to those who acknowledge their sin and go to God for forgiveness. So, it is to men of contrite hearts, and not to the world at large, that Jesus promised to bring peace. Thus, he came to establish peace between God and man, and man among themselves. This means those who, in Christ, confess their sin and obtain divine forgiveness. Note that the peace that Jesus brings is presented as the exclusive privilege of those who have accepted salvation. Conclusion We read in Ephesians chapter 6 that the word of God is the sword of the Spirit, right? The sword can be a source of peace for some, but for others a source of misfortune because the word of God provokes contradiction. The coming of Jesus on earth creates a gap between those who welcome his message and those who reject it. The teaching of Jesus will have the effect not of uniting men whose opinions about him diverge, but rather to separate them, even if these belong to the same family. Friend, this is where Jesus says he came to bring sword. This is the end of this short message. I hope you enjoyed this message. If you do, please tell me in your comments what you think about what the man of God, David, said in Psalm 139 verse 22. He says, I hate them with perfect hatred. I count them my enemies. If our Lord Jesus wills, we will be together next Sunday. Abundant blessing.