Matthew: Jesus Brings a Sword

The disciple of Jesus has been called to prepare people for the coming kingdom.  As they engage the world with the gospel, divisions will occur.  Rejection, opposition and potential persecution is promised as they urge people to believe in Christ.  Jesus definitely came to bring peace to the hearts of those who will believe in him, but while in this age ultimate peace is not here yet.  So, disciples of Christ must know that the call to follow Christ includes social divisions, which could even be in one’s family.  Today we look at Jesus’ closing words of instruction in Matthew 10 and see the cost of discipleship.  The cost of following Jesus is great, but the gain is greater.