Korean American Christian Blog

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

It seems both ironic and disheartening that Jesus, The Prince of Peace, would make this statement. Why would the God who claims Love claim such a promise? 

I met a curious young teen girl while on missions. She asked me if it was true that if she loved her family more than Jesus, she was not worthy of Jesus. I replied, yes. But my reasoning and explanation of it was unsatisfying. The only response I could give her was, "That's what it says in the Bible, so it is true."

How naive I was to explain it to her in such a way. My reasoning was circular. Jesus' reasoning was expansive, because it included who He was and what He was going to do for the whole world. 

The reality is that family, as close as it may seem, is like water compared to the thickness of blood that Jesus' life binds us with. It should take precedence over even family and relationships.

But the acceptance of this makes it clear the identity of the believers from the nonbelievers. And it becomes especially evident when those among your own family do not believe. In this situation, the visual of a sword is clear. 

But while our identity in ourselves as a sibling, a child, a friend, a girlfriend/boyfriend is lost, we are found as saints and heirs in Christ.

Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. - Matthew 10:39

 ...and for that, I rejoice.