Matthew 10:34–39 (ESV)
Not Peace, but a Sword
34 “Do not think that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to set a man against his father, and a daughter against
her mother, and a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law. 36 And a person’s enemies will be those of his own household. 37 Whoever loves father or mother more than me is not worthy
of me, and whoever loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me. 38 And whoever does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his life will lose it, and
whoever loses his life for my sake will find it.
Too often, we look at the negative aspect of today’s reading instead the positive. The positive is
that Jesus loves us and he wants to be our highest priority. Often when someone converts to Christianity in a nonbelieving family… the family turns against them and tries to stop them. This is where family turns against family.
I pray: O Lord, I know the world will ridicule me for my belief in you. Help me to remain steadfast in the faith you have given me, trusting in your forgiveness
and grace. Amen.