[Jesus said,] "Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. (Matthew 10:34)
How could that be? If Jesus didn't come to bring peace, then how could so many pastors speak on it, and we as Christians believe that Christ came to bring it? It just stumped me. However, I wouldn't have been so confused had I understood a very important point, a point which many of my fellow Believers may also be missing.
That point is that there are two very different kinds of peace.
The first kind is what is addressed in Matthew, which is world peace, or outer peace. Notice, Jesus says "peace on earth." This kind of peace is calm in our surroundings. I have seen countless bumper stickers and yard signs encouraging people to coexist and/or visualize world peace. (Occasionally they instead ask that you visualize whirled peas. If you don't get it, say it out loud). People want an end to all the anger and chaos in the world, which is natural. If the Fall hadn't happened, these things simply wouldn't exist, because they are the result of sin.
Chaos, or disorder, is the opposite of outer peace. In a perfect world, there is balance. In our imperfect world, with wars, violence, gangs, daily struggles, fear, betrayal, and just too much on our plates, there is utter chaos. As a result, sometimes we are stressed, overwhelmed, and struggle to even breathe. When it seems our world has gone mad, we would give anything for a little peace.
But Jesus said, Do not think that I came to bring peace on earth. I did not come to bring peace but a sword. The next verses explain, For I have come to ‘set a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law’; and ‘a man’s enemies will be those of his own household.’ (Matthew 10:35-36) Jesus was saying that believing in Him would be controversial. Not everyone would so willingly accept that this Man was the Son of God, or follow His teachings. He warned that families and friends would be divided on account of Him, and said He who loves father or mother more than Me is not worthy of Me. And he who loves son or daughter more than Me is not worthy of Me. (Matthew 10:37) Basically, He tells us that if you're looking for outer peace in following Him, you are not going to find it. Following Him will only add to the chaos in your world.
So what hope do we then have? How could a God who loves us leave us to struggle in our chaotic world? Why won't He calm the storms of our lives? When we face these storms, chaotic times, and all our struggles, the world doesn't stop. Life goes on, and we can't press pause. Sometimes these things hit hard enough for a Christian to give up the faith because of the mentality: "if God won't stop these things from happening, I'll have to handle them myself."
Wait! There's a second kind of peace. This peace is what we hear preached on, and what we can have through faith in Jesus Christ, which is inner peace. So many today deceive themselves into a false peacefulness to try to escape the chaos around them. However, we can never have true peace until we trust in Jesus. This inner peace is the peace that comes from knowing you're forgiven. This peace comes from knowing that no matter what happens in life, there's One who's in control, and He cares about you. This peace is in contentment. Inner peace in Jesus means freedom from all fear, because God provides for all our needs in life, and saves us from condemnation in death.
The psalmist wrote of it famously:
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want. He makes me to lie down in green pastures; He leads me beside the still waters. He restores my soul; He leads me in the paths of righteousness For His name’s sake. Yea, though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil; For You are with me; Your rod and Your staff, they comfort me. You prepare a table before me in the presence of my enemies; You anoint my head with oil; My cup runs over. Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me All the days of my life; And I will dwell in the house of the LORD Forever. (Psalm 23)
In chaotic life, this second kind of peace gives us strength to withstand the absence of the first. It also helps us to grow and reminds us to rely on a God who is greater than us and our problems. God doesn't leave us helpless and hopeless; He loves us.
I will not leave you orphans; I will come to you. (John 14:18)
When we truly trust God and His love with our lives and all that we are, we can have peace that we're in capable hands.
There is no fear in love; but perfect love casts out fear, because fear involves torment. (1 John 4:18a)
Be anxious for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication, with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known to God; and the peace of God, which surpasses all understanding, will guard your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. (Philippians 4:6-7)
You will keep him in perfect peace, WBecause he trusts in You. (Isaiah 26:3)
This is the kind of peace God offers. Of the two, the first is an unrealistic ideal which will never be accomplished until the Day when all is set right. The second is a reality for those whose faith is in God. It's up to each of us whether we will choose to chase the first, or let the second find us.
But the fruit of the Spirit is love, joy, peace, longsuffering, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control. Against such there is no law. (Galatians 5:22-23)
In the words of Paul, Grace to you and peace from God our Father and the Lord Jesus Christ. (Philippians 1:2)
Amen.
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