July 3, 2023

Today's Reading: Matthew 10:34-42 

Daily Lectionary: Proverb 15:1-29, John 15:12-27

“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 ESV)

In the Name + of Jesus. Amen. Our reading presents us with a Jesus who is not familiar to us. We tend to like our Jesus meek and mild with never a raised voice or a harsh word.  A Jesus who comes not to bring peace but a sword is something else entirely. The sad truth is that the gospel divides and that division sometimes splits families. Jesus even says that he has come to set son against father, daughter against mother, and daughter in law against mother in law. This would have been especially surprising in the ancient world where the family relationship took priority over almost everything else. Jesus’ words in our reading come from His instructions to His twelve disciples prior to their Galilean mission. He is letting them know that their proclamation of the kingdom would result in strife and division. This is still true in many parts of the world today where becoming a Christian comes at a great cost. 

This is, of course, not all that Jesus has to say to The Twelve. He also lets them know that rejection is not the only reaction that they would experience. There would also be those who would receive them and even treat them well. This is where the words about receiving a cup of water because of being a disciple come in. Paul will later use the vocabulary of family to describe the relationship between Christians. The very message that divides families also creates a new family known as the church. For early Christians who had lost their family because of their faith the church functioned as a substitute family. Christianity was never meant to be a solo venture or a religion of loneliness. God does not create individual believers as much as He creates a whole people. 

What this means for you is that even if your family is intact, because of your faith, you are a member of an extended family that is the people of God. You have an uncountable number of brothers and sisters that are part of the one holy Christian and apostolic church. While the Gospel may have divided you from some, it has united you to many, many others. No matter what your circumstances are, you are part of the family.  In the Name + of Jesus. Amen.

For strife He came to bring a sword, The truth to end all lies; To rule in us our patient Lord, Until all evil dies: For in His hands He holds the stars, His voice shall speak to end our wars, And those who love Him see His scars And look into His eyes. (In Silent Pain the Eternal Son, LSB 432:3) 

-Pastor Grant Knepper is Pastor at Grace Lutheran Church, Modesto, California.

Audio Reflections Speaker: Jonathan Lackey is an LCMS seminarian.

Study Christ's words on the cross to see how you can show more Christlike grace in your life. Perfect for group or individual study, each chapter has a Q&A at the end, and the back of the book includes a leader guide. Available now from Concordia Publishing House.