What Jesus Did! 'No Peace Here' — Matthew 10:34-37

Wednesday, May 10, 2017

"Don't think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace. I came to bring a sword. I have come to make this happen: 'The people in a person's own family will be his enemies. A son will be against his father. A daughter will be against her mother. A daughter-in-law will be against her mother-in-law.' Any person that loves his father or mother more than he loves me is not good enough to follow me. Any person who loves his son or daughter more than he loves me is not good enough to follow me."
— Matthew 10:34-37 NLT
Illustration of Matthew 10:34-37 NLT — I did not come to bring peace.

Key Thought

Sometimes Jesus' words to us are not soft words. Jesus does bring peace, but it is not the kind of peace that is an absence of decisions, conflict, or hardship. His presence demands that we either choose him as Lord or reject him entirely. He will allow us no middle ground and no rival for our hearts. Jesus wants us to know that we will have some family members who will choose to not follow and not believe in him. In fact, some may even have family members that give them up to authorities to spare themselves. For times such as this, we must commit our hearts to follow the Lord!

Today's Prayer

Heavenly Father, give me the courage and soul to choose to place Jesus as the central controlling relationship in my life. I want to honor him and serve him with a loyalty that has no rival. Please give me an undivided heart and a spirit of faithfulness. In the name of Jesus of Nazareth I pray. Amen.

Related Scripture Readings

  • Josh. 24:15-17
  • Psalm 127:1
  • Matt. 12:46-50

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About This Devotional

What Jesus Did! is a series of one-year devotional guides through each gospel, using one short scripture passage each day and following the Gospel in sequential order. Each devotional consists of a scripture passage and a reflection and a prayer which open up the day's scripture and show how it challenges you to live for Jesus.

What Jesus Did! is written by Phil Ware.

Scripture quotations are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright ©1996, 2004, 2007, 2013, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

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