Snapshots of Jesus

"Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth.  I have not come to bring peace, but a sword."

Matthew 10:34

What a startling statement from the One who came to save mankind from their sins!  It is difficult to fathom how He who came to bring peace (Isaiah 9:6; Matthew 5:9) simultaneously brought war.  However, considering His very purpose in coming should remind us that breaking down is often required before building up can occur.  Destruction usually proceeds construction and such is the case with Christ.  Before one can become His disciple all presuppositions, preconceived notions, and faulty philosophies, no matter how dear, must be destroyed.  After one becomes a disciple battles will continue on a daily basis as Satan struggles to win back that which was lost.  Sometimes he will use the disciple's own family against them, which is the context of our Lord's statement in Matthew 10:34.

In this snapshot of Jesus we see a Savior who loved His disciples enough to prepare them for exactly what was to come as they followed Him.  Should their faith remain intact to the very end they would receive a crown of life and understand that their suffering was but for a moment and not worth comparing to the glory that awaited.  However, the cross comes before the crown and Jesus would not have them ignorant of that fact.  

It is tempting to accentuate the positive to the eliminating of the negative.  It is much more enjoyable to speak to the perspective Christian about the joys of knowing Christ, the wonders of salvation, the intimacy of the spiritual family, and the glory of Heaven than to speak of the difficulties and discouragement's Christians face at the hands of a world firmly committed to Satan.  Many Christians have fallen because they were not prepared.  

It takes a special kind of love to tell people exactly what they need to hear knowing beforehand that they are not going to like it.  It takes a special kind of love to be so transparent as to refuse to hide future difficulties to win a few immediate gains.  Matthew 10:34 shows us another example of Christ's love for His people in a rather startling way.  Loving someone is preparing them for everything, not just that which is pleasant.  Praise our Lord for such all encompassing love!