Matthew 10:24-39

24 “A disciple is not above the teacher, nor a slave above the master; 25 it is enough for the disciple to be like the teacher, a nd the slave like the master. If they have called the master of the house Beelzebul, how much more will they malign those of his household! 26 “So have no fear of them; for nothing is covered up that will not be uncovered, and nothing secret that will not become known. 27 What I say to you in the dark, tell in the light; and what you hear whispered, proclaim from the housetops. 28 Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul; rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground apart from your Father. 30 And even the hairs of your head are all counted.

31 So do not be afraid; you are of more value than many sparrows. 32 “Everyone therefore who acknowledges me before others, I also will acknowledge before my Father in heaven; 33 but whoever denies me before others, I also will deny before my Father in heaven. 34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 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; 36 and one’s foes will be members of one’s own household. 37 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; 38 and whoever does not take up the cross and follow me is not worthy of me.

39 Those who find their life will lose it, and those who lose their life for my sake will find it.

Be Jesus’ Sword

We are invited to reconcile Jesus' words about "peace and a sword" with the Prince of Peace and the Risen Christ. He dispelled fear from the apostles' hearts and replaced it with identifying Himself as their peace when He said to them after His resurrection, "The peace is with you" John 20:19.

This same Jesus teaches His disciples, today as yesterday, to “Love your enemies, pray for those who persecute you" Matthew 5:44. 

Unless we consider the contextual background of this teaching, we may remain confused. Being "the way, the truth and the life" (John 14:6), Jesus will be accepted and received by some, yet denied and refused by others. Many will accept Him as the Truth, follow Him as their Way, and honor Him as the sublime aim in their Life. Many others will refuse to follow Him.

Nations and even families will split because of Him. Some family members will try their best to follow His example and live by His teachings, yet they will be opposed by their siblings, parents or neighbors.

Those who believe in Him have to pay the cost of their discipleship. They may face problems, difficulties, persecutions and betrayals from their closest relatives. Following Jesus as a life priority may create rifts and conflicts between siblings, friends, and citizens.

This is the Jesus' sword that divides and separates good from evil, the sword that brings justice and vanquishes falsehood. It separates the pursuit of eternal life from attachment to a fleeting earthly life.

This Sunday we are invited not only to use Jesus' sword in our daily life, but even more to be Jesus' sword in our personal life and choices. Jesus' sword produces justice and peace, while the world's sword produces confusion, hatred and destruction. Jesus' sword is love, forgiveness, and attachment to God's presence and providence.

Blessed are those who try their best to be Jesus' sword, fighting for justice and righteousness in the midst of this earthly life!