Verse 34 shivers my timbers

This peace thing is going round and round in my head. I am from the “peace and love” generation, so you’ll just have to put up with me for a moment!

• Because we’ve been justified, we have peace with God.

• He gives peace, not as the world gives, but something wholesome, integral, deep, daily yet eternal.

Those are (1)Paul, in Romanos 5.1 and (2)Jesus in John 14.27.

And Paul, about Jesus, in Ephesians 2.14, adds:

• He Is Our Peace

But in Matthew, this mind-boggling chapter 10 that I have been in for the past months, Jesus shivers my timbers with verse 34...

• DO NOT THINK THAT I HAVE COME TO BRING PEACE TO THE EARTH. I HAVE NOT COME TO BRING PEACE, BUT A SWORD.

Do not think it? Are you kidding? That is exactly what I want to be thinking!

Is that not what You have been telling us?

1. I have peace

2. He gives peace

3. He is our peace

And yet, He did not come to bring peace on earth.

Go figure.