God Above All Else

Matthew 10:34-11:1

Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth; I have not come to bring peace, but a sword. 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; and a man's foes will be those of his own household. He who loves father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; and he who loves son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me; and he who does not take his cross and follow me is not worthy of me. He who finds his life will lose it, and he who loses his life for my sake will find it. He who receives you receives me, and he who receives me receives him who sent me. He who receives a prophet because he is a prophet shall receive a prophet's reward, and he who receives a righteous man because he is a righteous man shall receive a righteous man's reward. And whoever gives to one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he shall not lose his reward. And when Jesus had finished instructing his twelve disciples, he went on from there to teach and preach in their cities.

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           We often associate peace with Jesus. Yet, today Jesus tells us that He did not come to bring peace but a sword. What does this mean?

           It simply means that Jesus knows the weight of his responsibility. He knows that with His coming, feuds among peers will be ignited because people differ in their individual beliefs and values. He came to stir up our lives and awaken our dead souls. He introduced a new way of life thus disrupting customs and traditions. He knows that the people will be divided as to their beliefs. He knows that even siblings will argue over who's right and who's wrong. He knows that loving a being as great as the Lord requires great sacrifices. That's why he declared that he did not come to bring peace but a sword. 

           Moreover, Jesus tells us today how to be worthy of the Lord, that is, to love God above all else. Even if our family and peers think otherwise, we must continue to stand firm and believe. The sacrifice we make today may seem too much for us but don't worry because God's plans are always greater than our own. Just continue to walk the path of righteousness and everything will fall into place.