Jesus came to bring violence, to bring a sword.

So what does that mean for us today?

The question comes in from a listener in Egypt.

Good morning, Pastor John.

I'm a devout Christian who reads the Bible every day.

I struggle with these words of Jesus, quote, do not think that I have come to bring peace

to the earth.

I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.

And quote, that's Matthew 10, 34, I'm wondering what Jesus meant and what does it mean for Christians

today.

Pastor John, what would you say?

Let's read what Jesus said in the context of Matthew 10, 34 to 39.

Usually he said, do not think that I have come to bring peace on the earth.

I have not come to bring peace, but a sword for is important to keep reading for 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 and a person's enemies will be those of his own household.

Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me and whoever loves son

or daughter more than me is not worthy of me and whoever does not take his cross and

follow me is not worthy of me.

Whoever finds his life will lose it and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.

So Jesus talks in this radical, shocking, one-sided way often.

He expects us to be startled, awakened, made serious, and then he expects us to put the

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