He came to bring a sword

“Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.” Matthew 10:34

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What kind of saying is this to conclude our post-Christmas reflections on why Jesus came? Isn’t Christmas all about “peace to men on earth” (Luke 2:14). So why would Jesus here say something startlingly opposite to that?

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Truly, Jesus is the Prince of Peace (Is.9:6) whose coming resulted in peace with God (Rom.5:1) and reconciliation between people (Eph.2:14-15). In him we can know a peace which passes understanding (Phil.4:7). Yet even from the outset, his coming caused violent tragedy. The slaughter of innocent children was a consequence of the wise men seeking the baby Jesus, though we airbrush that from the Christmas story (Matt.2:16-18).

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Here Jesus warned that his followers would be persecuted, with division even between close family members because of their different responses to him. “No servant is greater than his master. If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also” (10:24; John 15:20). So endurance is needed, taking up the cross and following him (10:22,37-39). Yet even in such troubles, he promises to give us his peace (John 14:27; 16:33).