Not Peace, But a Sword — Matthew 10:34–42
Rev. Kenneth Redmann
At Zion Lutheran Church, we welcome those searching for a traditional church in Tampa and a Bible-based church in Tampa where the Word of God is faithfully preached without compromise.
In a time when many churches are shifting away from Scripture, Zion remains committed to the historic Christian faith—centered on Christ, grounded in the Bible, and shaped by the Gospel of grace.
This week’s Gospel from Matthew 10 brings a challenging and honest word from Jesus:
“Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.”
At first hearing, these words surprise us. But in context, they reveal the deeper reality of Christ’s mission in a fallen world.
May the meditations of our hearts and the words of my lips be acceptable to You, O Lord. In the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit. Amen.
The text selected for our meditation this morning is from our Gospel, the words of Jesus, the Prince of Peace. Jesus said, “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). Wait! What?
Beloved in the Lord, these are our Lord’s final instructions to the 12 disciples as they were sent out as sheep among wolves. Matthew chapter 10 is all about the sending of the 12 apostles. We find, Jesus…
- Called the Twelve and gave them super-natural authority to heal the sick of “every” disease, cure the lepers, cast out demons, AND to raise the dead!
- Gave the Twelve their simple, profound words of preachment, “The Kingdom of heaven is at hand” (Matthew 10:7).
- Advised them that not every village; not every person would receive their message of grace and salvation. The disciples were to discern a worthy house by whether that house received the message or not! Receive the Word of the Lord from the disciples and you are worthy—do not receive the Word of the Lord from the disciples and you and your household are deemed—not worthy. Oh, by the way, IF you are deemed not worthy—it will be better for the inhabitants of Sodom and Gomorrah than for you on the Last Day.
- Cautioned the disciples that they will be delivered over to the courts; be dragged before governors and rulers—BUT DON’T WORRY! Do not be anxious about what you might say for the Holy Spirit will give you words to speak—Words that will come from the Father.
- Warned the disciples that they will be hated—all because you declare the name of Jesus. In my name, Jesus said, brother will accuse brother; father will deny sons and daughters; children will betray their own parents.
Dear friends in Christ, such is the sending of the disciples according to Matthew chapter 10. This was the same chapter in which the disciples were instructed NOT to take money or extra clothing or sandals; they were NOT to receive pay (Bummer! No “mileage” for this trip.) They will be persecuted in one town and if they are, then go to another town—and oh, by the way, that town may persecute you as well.
AND THEN, Jesus, finally, comforts them, assures them, and attempts, at least, to quiet their spirits. “Fear not. Do not fear those who kill the body but cannot touch the soul. I have counted every hair on your head. I know every sparrow that falls from the sky and you are much more valuable than a sparrow. I will be with you. I will not leave you or forsake” (selected from Matt. 10:28-32). No wonder Luther concludes, “We should fear, love, and trust in God above all things” (Luther’s explanation of the First Commandment, Small Catechism).
With ALL of this instruction we finally get to our text. “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword.” (vs 34).
So….pastor,….. “Let me get this straight”, you might say. “You are telling me that the 12 disciples were sent out as sheep into a pack of wolves. That they were to boldly go and preach—where no man has ever gone. Furthermore, that WHEN, NOT IF, they encounter conflict; when (not if) they are beaten and imprisoned for their belief; when (not if) they are mocked and slandered and dismissed even by father or brother—they are to Fear Not! Endure Hardships! Remain Steadfast! And wait patiently for the Lord. Do I have that about right?”
Yep. That’s about it.
You see, that has been the clarion call of God’s people of every age. Jesus said, “In the world you will have tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world” (John 16:33).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, in this fallen world there is conflict. Jesus, the Prince of Peace, recognized that conflict; confronts that conflict; calls out that conflict; and is crucified for that conflict! In so doing—Jesus, the Prince of Peace conquers ALL conflict.
Take our Old Testament account. The setting is that God’s Chosen People of Judah were now under the control of King Nebuchadnezzar of Babylon. Judah’s young men have been exiled to Babylon. The sacred Temple has been ransacked and all the precious gold and jewels have been taken by King Nebuchadnezzar as tribute.
Jeremiah and Hananiah, two prophets of God were in direct conflict with one another. Hananiah prophesied, saying, “This is what the Lord Almighty, the God of Israel, says, ‘I will break the yoke of the king of Babylon. Within two years I will bring back to this place all the articles of the Lord’s house that Nebuchadnezzar…took…’” (Jer 28:2-3).
Hananiah was prophesying with words that Zedekiah, the impotent King of Judah wanted to hear. Jeremiah confronted the false prophet. Fast forward through this episode of conflict between Hananiah and Jeremiah:
- Jeremiah was publicly shamed and Jeremiah went away silently
- “Shortly after”, the Bible records, Jeremiah returned with a Word from the Lord—within the year, Hananiah would die
- 7 months later Hananiah was dead
The lesson for us, today? There is tribulation in this world. There was conflict among God’s Chosen People of old and there is conflict among God’s Bride, the Church universal, and even, occasionally, the local congregation.
And we cry out to the Lord, “O, Lord! Help us!”
And then we get today’s puzzling troubling text: “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword”
These words strike our ears with force. They seem, at first hearing, to contradict everything we confess about Christ. The prophet Isaiah calls Him the “Prince of Peace” (Isaiah 9:6). The angels at His birth proclaim, “on earth peace among those with whom he is pleased!” (Luke 2:14). And St. Paul declares, “He himself is our peace” (Ephesians 2:14).
So how can the Prince of Peace say He does NOT bring peace, but a sword?
Beloved in the Lord, the answer is not that Christ has changed His mission, and certainly not that He contradicts Himself. Rather, Jesus reveals a truth we often prefer not to face: the peace Jesus brings is peace WITH God, and the world HATES that peace.
The Gospel reconciles sinners to God, but it also exposes sin, confronts unbelief, and divides those who receive Christ over and against those who reject Him.
Hear the Word of the Lord, when Jesus, the Alpha and Omega, revealed Himself to John in the Revelation, the Bible says, “from his mouth came a sharp two-edged sword” (Rev. 1.16).
This is the “sword” we are talking about! This is exactly what Simeon prophesied when Mary and Joseph brought the infant Jesus to the temple. Remember? He said: “Behold, this child is appointed for the fall and rising of many in Israel, and for a sign that is opposed… so that thoughts from many hearts may be revealed.” — Luke 2:34–35 (ESV)
The sword Jesus brings is His Word. That Word comes forth from His mouth and cuts through every false peace the world offers. Christ reveals hearts. And when hearts are revealed, they divide.
The Bible describes the Word of God as: “living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword… discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Heb 4.12).
The sword of Jesus’ Word exposes sin. It unmasks idolatry. It reveals the truth. It requires of us total and unencumbered spiritual integrity in everything that we say and do.
Luther says, “Where Christ is, there will be opposition” (LW 21:95). World acclaimed theologian, Francis Pieper puts it plainly: “The Gospel is a stumbling block to the natural man, and therefore it provokes hatred and persecution” (Christian Dogmatics, II:357).
Dear brothers and sisters in Christ, by Jesus’ wounds, we are healed. By His blood, we are reconciled. By His death, we have peace. And by His resurrection we have the certainty of salvation.
This is why the angels sang at His birth. This is why Simeon rejoiced to hold Him. This is why the Church calls Him Prince of Peace. The peace Christ gives is not the peace the world seeks. The world wants peace without repentance, peace without truth, peace without self-sacrifice. Christ freely gives eternal peace through forgiveness, through justification, through the gift of the Holy Spirit.
The world cannot give it. The world cannot understand it. The world cannot destroy it.
And finally, this: This peace, that comes from the two-edged sword, is yours in Christ Jesus.
May God grant it for Jesus’ sake. Amen.
Now the peace of God that passes all understanding keep your hearts and minds through Christ Jesus. Amen.
The peace Christ gives is not the fragile peace of the world, but true peace with God through His cross, His resurrection, and His Word.If you are searching for a Bible-based church in Tampa or a traditional church in Tampa where Scripture is taught clearly and Christ is at the center of worship, we invite you to visit us.At Zion Lutheran Church in Tampa, we are a community rooted in God’s Word, strengthened by His grace, and gathered around the promises of Jesus Christ.Come and worship with us this Sunday. Grow in faith, hear the Gospel, and experience the peace that only Christ can give.We are:A Christian Family who Cares for You!
We invite you to join us this Sunday for worship as we gather around God’s Word and Sacraments, and we encourage you to download the worship folder ahead of time so you can follow along and prepare your heart for service.