I love the Word of God.  When I read it I feel like I truly "taste and see that the Lord is good!" (Ps. 34:8)  And yet there are some passages that cause me to wrinkle my forehead and echo the words of Jesus' disciples in John 6:60, "This is very hard to understand. . . "

Matthew 10:34-35 was one such scripture: "Don't imagine that I came to bring peace to earth!  No, I came to bring a sword.  I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law."

How could the Prince of Peace utter these words?  How could this be in the same Book that again and again speaks of the importance of unity, love, and peace? 

As I sat and pondered, the Spirit brought me back to a foundation of my faith: God is good.  Therefore, it is always out of goodness that He says or does anything.

With this in mind, I re-examined the scripture.

First, what was uniting the people whom Jesus was planning to divide?  Well, everyone was in the same boat, so to speak; they were hopelessly separated from God and consumed with sin and guilt.

When Jesus came to earth, His purpose was to become a bridge and make a way for humans to step again into intimate relationship with their Father and Maker.  But a bridge gives a choice between two places - and the distinct possibility of division and separation.

 Jesus knew that His death and resurrection would divide people - some would believe Him to be God's Son and some would not; some would have faith and become children of God, and some would stay separated from their Creator.  In this way they would be set against each other, living for different purposes and passions.  Matt.12:30 states clearly, "Anyone who isn't helping Me opposes Me, and anyone who isn't working with Me is actually working against Me."

Although this division was inevitable, it was not Jesus' final goal.  His goal was to give a choice, hoping that all would cross the bridge into eternal life and fellowship.  ". . .He does not want anyone to perish, so He is giving more time for everyone to repent.  But the day of the Lord will come as unexpectantly as a thief. . . " (II Peter 3:9-10)

  I know several men in our community who chose to leave a foreign land, wives, children, and poverty to come and build a better home.  Dividing their families was a sad reality; going ahead to a better place and working towards a glorious reunion is their goal.  In the same way, when we step into a relationship with God through Jesus Christ, we not only leave the poverty of sin and death, but often place ourselves at odds with friends and family by our decision.  However, our goal should be a glorious reunion by sharing with them the love we have found!

 

Amy