Matthew 10:34
Welcome to Online Bible Studies
Today’s Bible verse is
Matthew 10:34 (NIV)
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword.
Let’s read the verse in context:
Matthew 10:34-42 (NIV)
34 “Do not suppose that I have come to bring peace to the earth. I did not come to bring peace, but a sword. 35 For I have come to turn “‘a man against his father, a daughter against her mother, a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law– 36 a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.’ 37 “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; 38 and anyone who 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.40 “He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives the one who sent me. 41 Anyone who receives a prophet because he is a prophet will receive a prophet’s reward, and anyone who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man will receive a righteous man’s reward. 42 And if anyone gives even a cup of cold water to one of these little ones because he is my disciple, I tell you the truth, he will certainly not lose his reward.”
Today’s Quiet Time with God
Today’s verse was the topic of the Bible study I led at church tonight. I am going to reprint here what I said about the verse:
Jesus is saying that He came not to tell everybody they were OK, but to tell them they were not OK. He didn’t come to affirm anybody’s life style, He told them they would have to take up their cross daily. That if they wanted to find life they would have to lose it. This message is completely counter culture. This is not the message people want to hear, nor do most people think this is the message of Jesus. Jesus is often called a man of peace because He said things like “turn the other cheek”, “walk the extra mile”, “bless your enemies”, but you have to take those statements into the whole of what Jesus said. I am guessing that if you asked people who said verse 34, that the vast majority of people would not know it was Jesus, because culturally, Jesus is often portrayed as kind of weak or wimpy. Why do I say that? Large sections of the Church picture Jesus as an infant or as crucified. Follow with me for a minute. The image of Jesus is often of an infant (harmless) or dead (again harmless). It is the image of a God who is controllable. Baby Jesus and Crucified Jesus. Jesus is not an infant, and He is no longer on the cross. He lived life as the most courageous man who ever lived, and then defeated death and rose again. The image of Jesus we should be carrying around is the image of the One who is coming back for us.
Revelation 19:11-16 (NIV)
11 I saw heaven standing open and there before me was a white horse, whose rider is called Faithful and True. With justice he judges and makes war. 12 His eyes are like blazing fire, and on his head are many crowns. He has a name written on him that no one knows but he himself. 13 He is dressed in a robe dipped in blood, and his name is the Word of God. 14 The armies of heaven were following him, riding on white horses and dressed in fine linen, white and clean. 15 Out of his mouth comes a sharp sword with which to strike down the nations. “He will rule them with an iron scepter.” He treads the winepress of the fury of the wrath of God Almighty. 16 On his robe and on his thigh he has this name written: KING OF KINGS AND LORD OF LORDS.
Come Lord Jesus!
Check out Fifteen Minutes With God
Check out our latest feature on God’s Daytimer, Fifteen Minutes With God. This is an opportunity for you to spend fifteen minutes with God by following the Lord’s Prayer as a model. Click here to go to the Fifteen Minutes With God page. This will help you to develop a consistent daily prayer time.
Check out Christian World News
As you end your quiet time don’t forget to check out what’s happening in the world. Click here to go to the Christian World News stories page. This will help you to direct your prayers more effectively.
Get a Free Subscription to God’s Daytimer
Come back tomorrow for another edition of Online Bible Studies. You should also sign up for either the Free RSS subscription or if you aren’t familiar with RSS, sign up for the free email subscription. That way whenever a new Bible Study is posted you will be notified. You can sign up at the top right of the page.
Check out the Christian Book Club
The Christian Book Club is a great site where you can get involved in an online Christian Book Club. A new book and discussion are started the 1st of every month. Come and join us for this month’s book. Click here to go to the Christian Book Club site.
Check out Internet Pastor Online
Internet Pastor Online is an interesting site where you can find answers to questions about the Bible and some advice for Christian living.
Check out Church Growth Consulting
Church Growth Consulting is a site for Pastors and Ministry Leaders about ways to advance the Kingdom of God and help to grow the Church.
Check out My Newbie Blog
If you would like to learn how to create a blog of your own then this would be a good site for you.
Filed Under: Online Bible Studies
