Devotion - Thursday, November 9

This morning's reading from Matthew 10:34-42 is one of the "contrasting" verses.  By this I mean it is a verse which speaks a message other than the verses I am most likely to remember and repeat.

In Matthew 10, Jesus says, "Do not think I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."

Even here, Jesus is not speaking of a military weapon.  The sword which he goes on to speak of is the one which divides father from son, daughter from mother.  He says that only the one who leaves everything and follows him is "worthy" of him.

These verses are not a call to militant action.  They are a reminder that the Word of God is likely to divide us.

Divided are those who understand the complete transformation which comes in following Jesus.  Divided are those who would want to claim the name but not take the action.  Divided are those who would go along with the conventional thinking rather than call into question words/actions which demean or hurt others.

Jesus does bring a peace into the world.  But that peace is one which cuts through all the bullshit and only leaves the will of God.  Those who would prefer to see the world as the world would like to be seen are likely to feel the cutting edge of Jesus' sword.