These are the words of the “Prince of Peace”: “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (Matthew 10:34) What? This sounds like a battle cry! Why would the One who claimed to give peace make such a statement?
The Beatles sang: “You say you want a revolution… well, you know… we all want to change the world…” God did not want to simply change the world, He planned to save it. The salvation of the world required a “revolution” – one that would unseat the “prince of this world” and crown the “King of kings.” From the moment the Savior was born, the devil’s aim was to destroy. What we see in the hatred, the anger, the jealousy, the persecution, and the murder on earth are reflections of heavenly struggles. Jesus is the Way to peace; He calls his followers to be peacemakers; and He knows there will be conflict.
Local controversies over “Christmas” or “visible crosses” or “public prayers” pale in comparison to the swords, guns, and bombs used against our brothers and sisters in other lands. The “father of lies” hates the “Truth” and anything that threatens his position in a heart, a family, or a society will not be easily surrendered. The children of Light are called to fight the good fight with these unlikely weapons: prayer, love, forgiveness, mercy, and God’s wisdom. The perfect “revolution” looks like this: a perfect Man pours out his Blood, a perfect Father does the unthinkable and allows sinful man to torture and murder his only Son, and a perfect Holy Spirit baptizes all that receive salvation.
Our challenge is to walk in the Master’s steps and hear his heart. “Trust my Father to be the perfect Judge; He will bring justice in the end. Until then follow my example and listen to my words. Don’t strike back. Don’t repay evil with evil. Love your enemy; pray for those who treat you wrong. Love those that do not understand. Remember that you were once in darkness… lost and without hope. As you have received mercy, extend mercy to others. Speak truth, but be gentle. Love, love, love… and you too will be an instrument of peace.”
“Anyone who loves his father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and anyone who does not take up his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. Whoever finds his life will lose it, and whoever loses his life for my sake will find it. Whoever receives you receives me, and whoever receives me receives the one who sent me.” Matthew 10:37-40