Friday, June 19, 2026

Matthew 10:34  

Jesus taught: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace but a sword.” 

When Jesus spoke these words, the disciple probably heard two Old Testament verses in their heads: Isaiah 2:4 (They shall beat their swords into plowshares and their spears into pruning hooks; nation shall not lift up sword against nation; neither shall they learn war any more.) and Joel 3:10 (Beat your plowshares into swords and your pruning hooks into spears.) 

In the Isaiah passage, the prophet is yearning for a time of the Peaceable Kingdom, when there will be no need for weapons ever again. And in the Joel passage, the prophet is reminding Israel that they must rise up against the nations who threaten them; which may have inspired the famous Arthurian quote: “There is a peace that can only be found on the other side of war.” 

Jesus elsewhere says that he does not give peace the way the world does (John 14:27). The peace in the Bible is not just the lack of war, it is shalom (wholeness, health, fullness). Jesus teaches that there is a peace that can only be found on the other side of justice, truth, and love. But justice, truth and love may have a high price—just ask the martyrs. 

Paul wrote in Ephesians 6:17 that we should be armed with “the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God.” In Revelation 19 there is a fearsome description of Jesus returning to the earth—John writes: “Then I saw heaven opened, and there was a white horse! Its rider is called Faithful and True, and in righteousness he judges and wages war. His eyes are like a flame of fire, and on his head are many diadems, and he has a name inscribed that no one knows but himself. He is clothed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is called The Word of God. And the armies of heaven, wearing fine linen, white and pure, were following him on white horses. From his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations, and he will rule them with a scepter of iron.” 

The Word of God (Jesus) and the words of God (the Bible) are decidedly like a sword—able to strike fear into the hearts of some, able to make others feel protected and safe. How does God’s word seem to you? 

– Pr. Elizabeth

Jesus, sometimes your words convict me and sometimes your words comfort me. Let your love speak to me in the way that I need it today! I need Shalom! Amen