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THE CROSS IS A SWORD THAT DIVIDES
THURSDAY, JULY 24
Luke 12:49-59

Revelation 6:9-11

 

“Suppose ye that I am come
to give peace on earth?

I tell you, Nay; but rather division.”

 

THE CROSS IS A SWORD THAT DIVIDES
 
Jesus said He came not to send peace on earth, but a sword (Matt 10:34; Luke 12:51). Isn’t Jesus the Prince of peace? At Jesus’ birth, didn’t the angels sing, “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men”? What did Jesus mean by those enigmatic words? The Jews in the days of Jesus thought that their promised Messiah would come and dethrone Caesar, and they would be supreme. Yes, Jesus would do this at His second coming, but He came the first time to give spiritual peace. This peace from God was not obtained without a price. Jesus had to atone for sin on the cross so that His people could be redeemed by His blood.
 
However, when a sinner has made peace with God, Jesus said he would not have peace in the world. The world is hostile towards Christ and His Church. Jesus expressed this through the words “sword” (Matt 10:34) and “division” (Luke 12:51). Thus the Church can expect to find herself at odds with the unbelieving world. The Church will be hated because, as the salt and light of the world, she exposes evil and stands in the way of evil doers. The world does not like this and will do whatever it can to put the Church down. The Church must remain loyal to Christ. She must not compromise, but must stand separated from the world.
 
It must be emphasised that the sword Jesus spoke of was not one of violence, but division. He was talking about personal separation, not armed revolution.
 
THOUGHT: Am I willing to suffer and to die for Christ?

PRAYER: Father, help me to be strong in faith in times of persecution.

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